LONDON, United Kingdom: Unilever posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter results, as robust demand for its beauty and wellbeing products in North America and emerging markets helped offset cautious consumer spending elsewhere.

The maker of Dove soap and Hellmann's mayonnaise reported underlying sales growth of 3.9 percent, topping analysts' expectations of 3.7 percent from a company poll, and held its 2025 outlook steady. Growth also edged up from 3.8 percent in the previous quarter.

Pricing rose 2.4 percent, slightly above expectations, helping the consumer goods giant counter inflationary pressures and sustain margins.

Beauty and well-being once again led the charge, with sales up 5.1 percent, while ice cream brands such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, and Cornetto posted 3.7 percent growth. North America rose 5.5 percent on the back of intense beauty and personal care volumes, and China and Indonesia returned to growth.

Over the past few years, Unilever has pushed deeper into high-margin premium segments through innovation and acquisitions, especially in beauty and personal care, while expanding in key markets like India and the U.S.

"We're shaping a brand portfolio that's built for the future, with more Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care, prioritizing premium segments and digital commerce, and anchoring our growth in the U.S. and India," said CEO Fernando Fernandez, who took charge in March.

Fernandez is also steering a sweeping cost-cutting and restructuring drive to simplify operations and improve efficiency amid global economic uncertainty. Unilever said it remains ahead of plan in delivering 800 million euros in savings and expects restructuring costs to fall to about 1.2 percent of turnover in 2025.