AMSTERDAM – Unilever PLC, the maker of consumer products such as Dove soaps and Ben & Jerry's ice cream, says its underlying sales grew in the first quarter, but revenue was down due to a big impact from the stronger euro.
Around two-thirds of the company's sales come from outside the eurozone. In a trading statement Thursday, the company reported sales were down 6.3 percent to 11.4 billion euros ($15.8 billion), including a negative 8.9 percent currency impact.
Underlying figures strip out effects of currency fluctuations and the sale or purchase of businesses. Unilever said its underlying growth of 3.6 percent included a 1.9 percent volume growth and 1.6 percent increase in prices.
Unilever said growth was slow in North America, but improving in Europe. Emerging market sales grew 6.6 percent.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.