[[IMAGE: The consumer goods giant’s net profit was 10% higher than market expectation as analysts expected it to stand around Rs3.67 billion.]] KARACHI:? Unilever, the maker of more than 50 brands from Fair and Lovely to Knorr soup, beat all estimates and posted a 25% jump in profits to Rs4.09 billion on the back of higher sales despite price hikes across the board. The consumer goods giant’s net profit was 10% higher than market expectation as analysts expected it to stand around Rs3.67 billion. The company’s net sales rose 16% to Rs51.9 billion in 2011 on the back of higher volumes in home and personal care segment along with ice cream segments coupled with elevated tea prices, said AKD Securities analyst Misbah Iqbal. Prices of almost all goods have increased that this jacked up overall gross margins. Washing products as well as soap prices surged by 18% and 16% respectively, while price of milk powder and fresh milk – cost for ice cream and spreads segments – rose 45% and 18%, respectively, according to an InvestCap research note. High prices led to an increase of 2.2% in gross margin to 34.9% in 2011, a year hampered by floods, prolonged outages and rising commodity costs. The seller of Dove soap further strengthened its foothold by launching seven new brands – the highest ever in a single year – with almost six in the home and personal care segment (HPC), says a statement released by the company. The segment continued to deliver double-digit growth.

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Corporate results: Unilever profits beat estimates, grow 25%