Unilever PLC

ULVR · Consumer Defensive

About Unilever PLC (ULVR)

Unilever PLC is a Household & Personal Products company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ULVR has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.

Unilever PLC (ULVR) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Household & Personal Products industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 93,731 people. With a market capitalization of £106 billion, ULVR is a large established company.

ULVR trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £106 billion. The company employs approximately 93,731 people worldwide.

Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Household & Personal Products
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
IPO Year
1988

Key Statistics

Current Price
£4,834.50
Market Cap
£105.63B
52-Week High
£5,542.11
52-Week Low
£4,584.50
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Household & Personal Products

ULVR Investment Performance

ULVR has declined 0.5% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in ULVR would have grown to £1,125, representing a 12.5% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £4,892.

£1,000 Invested in Unilever PLC (ULVR)

1 Year
£984
+-2%
3 Years
£1,118
+12%
5 Years
£1,125
+13%
10 Years
£1,433
+43%
Since IPO
£4,892
+389%

How much would £1,000 invested in ULVR be worth today?

What would £1,000 invested in ULVR 1 year ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Unilever PLC (ULVR) in 2025 would be worth £984 as of March 2026, representing a -1.6% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in ULVR 3 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Unilever PLC (ULVR) in 2023 would be worth £1,118 as of March 2026, representing a +11.8% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in ULVR 5 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Unilever PLC (ULVR) in 2021 would be worth £1,125 as of March 2026, representing a +12.5% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in ULVR 10 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Unilever PLC (ULVR) in 2016 would be worth £1,433 as of March 2026, representing a +43.3% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in ULVR at IPO be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Unilever PLC (ULVR) at IPO would be worth £4,892 as of March 2026, representing a +389.2% total return.

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Avg Monthly Return
+37.37%
Positive Months
251
56% of 452
Negative Months
198
44% of 452
Data Period
37+ years
452 months
Best Performers
Best month ever: Mar 1997 (+5256.5%)
Best month on avg: March (+139.6%)
Worst Performers
Worst month ever: Apr 1997 (-98.1%)
Worst month on avg: June (-5.5%)

Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Unilever PLC (ULVR) has averaged a monthly return of +37.37% with a median return of +0.67%. The stock had 251 positive months (56%) and 198 negative months (44%). The best month in ULVR's history was March 1997 with a +5256.5% return, while the worst was April 1997 at -98.1%. Historically, March tends to be the strongest month (averaging +139.6%), and June the weakest (-5.5%).

ULVR's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1997 with a cumulative return of +6665.1%, and the worst was 1999 at -109.4%.

Annual Returns

Over 38 years of trading history, Unilever PLC (ULVR) has delivered an average annual return of +69.82% with a median return of +5.98%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +4.28%. The stock posted gains in 24 years (63%) and losses in 14 years (37%).

ULVR's best year was 1997 with a +2259.74% gain, while the worst was 1989 at -97.00%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. ULVR achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 15 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 5 years.

Avg Return
+69.82%
Best Year
1997 (+2259.74%)
Worst Year
1989 (-97.00%)
Positive Years
24/38
Year Return Start End
2026 -0.51% £4,859.14 £4,834.50
2025 -0.05% £4,861.78 £4,859.14
2024 +19.73% £4,060.76 £4,861.78
2023 -9.10% £4,467.28 £4,060.76
2022 +6.04% £4,212.98 £4,467.28
2021 -10.13% £4,687.95 £4,212.98
2020 +0.99% £4,642.08 £4,687.95
2019 +5.92% £4,382.44 £4,642.08
2018 -0.38% £4,399.06 £4,382.44
2017 +25.34% £3,509.69 £4,399.06
2016 +12.54% £3,118.50 £3,509.69
2015 +11.39% £2,799.54 £3,118.50
2014 +5.92% £2,643.00 £2,799.54
2013 +4.94% £2,518.59 £2,643.00
2012 +9.43% £2,301.64 £2,518.59
2011 +10.23% £2,087.97 £2,301.64
2010 -1.52% £2,120.09 £2,087.97
2009 +26.34% £1,678.15 £2,120.09
2008 -16.43% £2,007.96 £1,678.15
2007 +32.39% £1,516.64 £2,007.96
2006 +11.51% £1,360.12 £1,516.64
2005 +12.75% £1,206.33 £1,360.12
2004 -1.74% £1,227.67 £1,206.33
2003 -11.86% £1,392.84 £1,227.67
2002 +4.81% £1,328.88 £1,392.84
2001 -1.54% £1,349.71 £1,328.88
2000 +25.97% £1,071.44 £1,349.71
1999 -81.53% £5,801.56 £1,071.44
1998 +322.83% £1,372.09 £5,801.56
1997 +2259.74% £58.15 £1,372.09
1996 +7.21% £54.24 £58.15
1995 +14.66% £47.30 £54.24
1994 -3.35% £48.94 £47.30
1993 +8.17% £45.25 £48.94
1992 +23.78% £36.55 £45.25
1991 +32.06% £27.68 £36.55
1990 -6.31% £29.54 £27.68
1989 -97.00% £985.10 £29.54

ULVR Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends

Key factors to consider when evaluating Unilever PLC as an investment

Valuation

ULVR currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 21.7, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 16.5 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 786.2. The price-to-sales ratio is 2.1.

Dividends

Unilever PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.57%. This translates to £1.72 per share annually. The payout ratio of 79% indicates moderate dividend coverage.

Risk & Volatility

ULVR has a beta of 0.26, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £4584.50 to £5542.11, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.

Analyst Ratings

Based on 20 analyst opinions, ULVR has a consensus "none" rating. The average price target of £5350.40 suggests 10.7% upside from current levels.

Frequently Asked Questions: ULVR

What sector is ULVR in?

ULVR operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Household & Personal Products industry.

How has ULVR performed historically?

Over 38 years of trading history, ULVR has posted gains in 24 years (63% of the time). The best year was 1997 with a +2259.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How can I invest in ULVR?

You can invest in ULVR through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold ULVR.

Does ULVR pay dividends?

Unilever PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.57%. This translates to £1.72 per share annually. The payout ratio of 79% indicates moderate dividend coverage.

What does Unilever PLC do?

Unilever PLC is a Household & Personal Products company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

What sector is ULVR in?

ULVR operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Household & Personal Products industry.

When did ULVR go public?

Unilever PLC went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.

How much would £1,000 invested in ULVR 5 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in ULVR five years ago would be worth approximately £1,125 today, representing a 12.5% return.

Does ULVR pay dividends?

Yes, Unilever PLC pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.57%, which is £1.72 per share annually.

What is ULVR's market cap?

Unilever PLC has a market capitalization of £106 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.

What is ULVR's P/E ratio?

ULVR has a trailing P/E ratio of 21.7 and a forward P/E of 16.5, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.

Is ULVR a buy, hold, or sell?

Based on 20 opinions, ULVR has a consensus "none" rating. The average price target is £5350.4.

Last updated: 3/14/2026