Unilever NV (ENXTAM:UNA) has hired Goldman Sachs for divesting its Wish-Bone brand salad dressing business, Mergermarket reported citing a source familiar with the matter and three industry bankers. The source stated that the process is at an initial stage and confidentiality agreements have not yet been sent out to prospective bidders. At the company’s 4Q 2012 earnings call, Unilever’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Polman stated that it would continue to divest non-core food products, and it would examine products with €500 million to €700 million in revenues that are not global businesses and do not have the potential for global expansion. Two of the industry bankers stated that Ragu could be a logical divestiture candidate; however it was not for sale at this time. On March 19, 2013 Mergermarket had reported that both Wish-Bone and Ragu pasta sauces were on Unilever’s list of divestitures.

Unilever NV announced quarterly dividend on ordinary share up 10.7% to €0.2690 and on New York share of USD 0.3494. Ex-Dividend Date is on 8 May 2013. Record Date is on 10 May 2013 and Payment Date is on 12 June 2013.

Unilever NV reported earnings results for the first quarter of 2013. For the period, the company's underlying sales growth was at 4.9%. Turnover increased by 0.2%. Currency weakness in the first quarter particularly Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia and Argentina reduced turnover by 3.5%. If currencies were to stay as they are, the company would expect the drag on turnover for the full year 2013 to be around 2.5%.