Consumer goods giant hikes divi

Unilever has reported a 5 per cent slump in first-quarter sales but upped its dividend and announced a €6 billion (£5.2bn) share buyback programme amid investor opposition to basing its headquarters in Rotterdam.

The consumer goods giant said turnover fell to €12.6bn – down 5.2 per cent – but turned attention to underlying sales growth which came in at 3.4 per cent.