Unilever Plans to List Langnese & Co on the Stock Market

Unilever, the consumer goods giant, has announced that it will separate its ice cream business through an initial public offering (IPO). The division, which includes well-known brands such as Langnese, Magnum, and Wall’s and accounts for 14% of the company’s total revenue, is set to be listed on stock exchanges in Amsterdam, London, and New York.

The decision follows Unilever’s announcement in early 2024 that it intended to divest from its ice cream business as part of a cost-cutting strategy. Some analysts had suggested that a full sale or a joint venture would have been a more favourable option for the company.

Ford CEO Weighs in on Trump’s Tariffs

Jim Farley, CEO of US car manufacturer Ford, has met with members of Congress following his public criticism of new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Farley acknowledged that Ford shares US President Donald Trump’s ambition to create a thriving American automotive industry and expressed the company’s willingness to engage in further discussions with the administration on how best to achieve this goal.

Speaking at a conference, Farley had warned that the tariffs could create significant disruptions: “If you look at these tariffs honestly, you have to admit that a 25% duty on imports from Mexico and Canada will cause damage to the US industry on a scale we have never seen before.” On Monday, Trump announced that the US would impose a flat 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports starting 4 March, without any exceptions or exemptions.

Butter Prices Soar by Nearly a Third

Inflation in Germany slowed significantly at the start of the year, largely due to a less sharp increase in food prices. In January, the cost of goods and services rose by 2.3% compared to the previous year, down from 2.6% in December, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office. The data confirmed an earlier estimate and marked the first decline after three consecutive months of rising inflation.

The primary factor behind this slowdown was the reduced pace of food price increases. Food prices rose by just 0.8% year-on-year in January, compared to a 2.0% increase in December. However, some food items still saw significant price hikes. Butter, for instance, surged by 32.6%, while dairy products and eggs increased by 2.7%. Meanwhile, meat and meat products remained stable in price, whereas vegetables became 2.3% cheaper.