Unilever recalled Pot Noodle and Unilever stock sat 16.34 percent below its high

Published on 10/08/2026 at 11:26 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

UBS cut its target to GBp 4,390 from GBp 4,440 on October 6, 2026. Unilever stock was EUR 54.29 on October 8, 2026, versus EUR 54.24.

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Unilever (ISIN GB00BVZK7T90) recalled a Pot Noodle flavor on October 5, 2026, after an undeclared milk allergen was identified, as Food Manufacture reported. On October 7, 2026, the London Stock Exchange quote stood 16.34 percent below its 52-week high of GBp 5,526.00, according to FT.

Recall puts product safety first

The recall covered 90-gram packs of Pot Noodle Piri Piri Chicken Flavor with a May 2027 best-before date and batch code L6232PB796. Food Manufacture said the affected product contained milk that was not declared on the label, while Unilever said no other Pot Noodle products were affected.

The event is operationally narrow, but it creates a concrete consumer-safety issue for the brand portfolio. The affected product was withdrawn from shelves, and customers with a milk allergy or intolerance were advised to return it for a refund.

UBS cuts target before results

According to Yahoo Finance on October 7, 2026, UBS cut its Unilever target to GBp 4,390 from GBp 4,440 and retained a 12-month sell rating. The research note dated October 6, 2026, also reduced the bank's 2026 earnings forecast by 1.00 percent.

UBS expects third-quarter underlying sales growth of 5.00 percent, above Visible Alpha consensus of 4.46 percent but below Unilever's 5.80 percent result in the second quarter. The bank also expects volume growth to slow to 3.20 percent from 5.50 percent in the prior quarter, making the October 28 trading statement the next test of the outlook.

Volume growth remains the key metric

Unilever's first-half 2026 turnover was EUR 25.60 billion, up 0.50 percent from the prior year, while underlying sales growth reached 4.80 percent with volume growth of 4.20 percent, according to the company's first-half results discussed in the Eulerpool transcript dated July 28, 2026.

Underlying operating profit rose 0.90 percent to EUR 5.20 billion in the first half of 2026, and the underlying operating margin increased to 20.30 percent. Management's full-year outlook calls for underlying sales growth of 4.00 percent to 6.00 percent and volume growth of 3.00 percent.

Stock stays below its yearly high

Unilever was trading at EUR 54.29 at Lang & Schwarz on October 8, 2026 at 11:17 a.m. CEST, plus 0.09 percent versus the prior close of EUR 54.24 at Lang & Schwarz. The next scheduled company event is the third-quarter 2026 trading statement on October 28, 2026.

The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Unilever stock.