Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR), a leading global consumer goods company known for its diverse range of products, including food, beverages, cleaning agents, and personal care items, recently underwent a significant change with a reverse stock split on December 9, 2025, exchanging 9 shares for every 8 shares previously held. This move is part of Unilever's strategic efforts to streamline its operations and enhance shareholder value.
The reverse stock split coincides with a notable increase in Unilever's share price, which rose nearly 13% in early trading. This surge followed the completion of a share consolidation after the demerger of its ice cream division, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, as highlighted by Proactive Investors. The consolidation was executed at a ratio of eight new shares for every nine existing shares, with the new shares being admitted at the start of trading.
Due to the consolidation, some investors' shareholdings did not convert neatly under the new ratio. Unilever plans to pool these fractional shares and sell them in the market, returning the net cash proceeds to shareholders. Post-consolidation, Unilever has over 2.2 billion ordinary shares in issue, with approximately 2.18 billion carrying voting rights, excluding treasury and group-held shares.
The stock for UL is currently priced at $64.49, reflecting an increase of 16.62% with a change of $9.19. Today, the stock has fluctuated between a low of $62.07 and a high of $65.07. Over the past year, the stock has reached a high of $65.66 and a low of $54.32. UL has a market capitalization of approximately $159.53 billion, with a trading volume of 1,699,596 shares on the NYSE:UL.
