Dividends

When does Unilever declare its dividends?

Both Unilever NV and Unilever PLC pay currently two dividends a year on their ordinary shares, an interim and final dividend. The interim dividend is normally declared within our 3rd quarter results that are announced in late October or early November. Our final dividend is proposed within our 4th quarter results that are announced in February, which is then put to the annual general meeting for our shareholders to approve in May.

Following shareholder approval at the 2009 Annual General Meetings, Unilever will move to quarterly dividends from 1 January 2010, establishing a simpler and more transparent dividend practice. To view the new dividend payment policy please click on the Quarterly Dividend Background Information document at the top of this page.

When are the dividends paid?

When a dividend on the ordinary shares is to be paid, the payment date on all four listings for Unilever NV and Unilever PLC will be the same. Currently, the interim dividend is paid in late November or early December, and the final dividend is paid in June.

Following shareholder approval at the 2009 AGMs Unilever will move to quarterly dividends in 2010 establishing a simpler and more transparent dividend practice. From January 2010 dividends will be paid in March, June, September and December each year. To view the changes please click on the Quarterly Dividend Background Information document at the top of this page.

The dividend on the Unilever NV 4% cumulative preference shares is normally paid early January and the dividend on the Unilever NV 6% and 7% cumulative preference shares is normally paid early October. The move to quarterly dividends will not affect the dividend practice in relation to the Unilever NV cumulative preference shares.

Dividend on the Unilever NV shares is paid in Euros and is subject to Dutch tax law. Dividend on the Unilever PLC shares is paid in sterling and is subject to UK tax law. Dividend on the Unilever NV New York registry shares and on the Unilever PLC ADRs is converted into and paid in US dollars.

When will the dividends be paid this year?

The dates that the dividends are paid are different each year, so please click on the dividend calendar link within the related links box at the bottom of this page to view the relevant dates for the remainder of this year.

How are the dividends equalised?

Following approval by shareholders at the 2009 AGMs, the exchange rate convention has now become effective. Therefore, future dividends will be determined in Euros, and the Euro interim dividend amount will be converted into equivalent Sterling and US Dollar amounts using the spot rates of exchange two days before the announcement date. To view the changes in more detail please click on the Quarterly Dividend Proposal Information document at the top of this page.

Where can I find out what dividends were paid in previous years?

The dividends paid on all four of our stocks are provided since 1999 within the related links on the right.

Dividend reinvestment - instead of receiving a cash dividend, can I reinvest my dividend to buy shares in Unilever?

Yes you can. Both Unilever NV and Unilever PLC offer dividend reinvestment plans that are a convenient, easy way to build your shareholding by using your cash dividends to buy additional shares. Further information on each scheme is provided by clicking on the relevant link on the right.