Anglo-Dutch consumer products company Unilever expressed concerns yesterday that the US terrorist attacks might indirectly affect the performance of at least two of its subsidiary businesses.
“The tragic events of September 11 pose particular challenges,” admitted Unilever in a statement, expressing particular concern over its US foodservice arm and its perfumes business, which are already pinched by the recession.
Unilever stressed however that the affected businesses actually account for less than 4% of the group’s turnover.
While briefing analysts and investors on trading to date in its third quarter, the group stressed that it is still expecting “low double-digit” growth this year in terms of earnings per share. Earnings for this quarter are still expected to be flat.
