Q3 & 9 Months Results

Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
5 November 1999

UNILEVER REPORTS £868 MILLION PRETAX PROFIT FOR THIRD QUARTER
       -- PLC Interim Dividend Fixed At 3.93p -- 


Unilever today reported pretax profit of £868 million on sales up 2% to £7,065
million for the third quarter 1999.  Operating profit before exceptional items
rose 3% but net profit, on the same basis, declined 3% as a result of lower
interest income following the payment of the special dividend in June 1999.
Largely due to the exceptional profit on the disposal of Plant Breeding
International Cambridge in the third quarter 1998, pre-tax profit and net
profit after exceptional items is 19% below last year.

Highlights in the quarter to end September included a further improvement in
volume and margins in Western Europe, although Europe's overall results were
held back by continuing difficult markets in Russia and Eastern Europe.  Asia
and Pacific forged ahead with a 10% growth in sales across the region and a
strong improvement in margins. 

For the nine months, Unilever sales were £20,721 million, a 1% improvement
over 1998. Operating profit before exceptional items improved by 6% to £2,333
million. Pretax profit was 7% lower due to the impact of lower interest income
following payment of the special dividend, and exceptional items. 


THIRD QUARTER                                                  NINE MONTHS
   £ millions                                                   £ millions 

 1999    1998                                                 1999    1998

7,065   6,928  +2%  Turnover                                20,721  20,432 +1%
  886   1,054 -16%  Operating Profit                         2,217   2,346 -5%
  934     909  +3%  -before exceptional items-               2,333   2,195 +6%
  868   1,076 -19%  Pretax Profit                            2,260   2,439 -7%

                    Net Profit
  549     678 -19%  at constant exchange rates               1,439   1,546 -7%
  584     601  -3%  -before exceptional items-               1,520   1,460 +4%
  554     676 -18%  at current exchange rates                1,420   1,539 -8%

 8.09p  9.07p -11%  Earnings per share                       19.90p 20.61p -4%
                    per 1.40p (1998: 1.25p) ordinary PLC share

 Interim Dividends: per 1.40p ordinary PLC share:             3.93p    +33%
                    per Fl.1.12 ordinary N.V. share       Fl. 0.88      +9%

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE:

Europe:  overall sales flat although Western European volumes well ahead: home
and personal care businesses achieved excellent growth.  Ice cream and tea
also performed strongly. Russian and Eastern European markets continued to be
difficult. 

North America: good growth in most home and personal care categories, notably
personal wash, deodorants and hair; offset by declines in some food categories
and in prestige.  Margins and profits again improved.

Africa and Middle East: sales up 5%; compared to strong quarter last year
profits in South Africa fell due to rephasing of promotional activity. 
Improved results elsewhere almost compensated.

Asia & Pacific: sales up 10% across region, due in part to economic recovery
in East Asia. Particularly good performances in India, Japan, Vietnam. 
Margins and profits rose strongly despite higher marketing investment. 

Latin America: sales rose 4% despite difficult economic conditions.  Ice cream
and personal care performed well.  Continued investment to defend strong
market positions, particularly laundry; margin and profit development reflects
commitment.   

NET FUNDS
At closing rates of exchange, Net Funds were £0.4bn. compared to £4.1bn at the
end of 1998.  The decrease is mainly due to payment of the special dividend of
£4bn, and the normal part of the final dividend 1998. 


                          UNILEVER RESULTS
               Third Quarter 1999 and Interim Dividends

The directors of Unilever announce the Group's unaudited consolidated
results for the third quarter and
first nine months of 1999, and the interim ordinary dividends for
1999.


THIRD QUARTER

Financial results

At constant rates of exchange, sales increased by 2% and operating
profit before exceptional items rose by 3%. Net profit, also before
exceptional items, fell 3% reflecting lower interest income following
payment of the special dividend in June 1999. Largely due to the
exceptional profit on the disposal of Plant Breeding International
Cambridge in the third quarter 1998, net profit after exceptional
items is 19% below last year. At current rates of exchange the trends
are similar.


Business performance

The following commentary is based on operating profit before
exceptional items, at constant rates of exchange.

In Europe, although overall sales were flat, Western European volumes
were well ahead of last year. This was especially so in our home and
personal care businesses which again achieved excellent growth. Ice
cream and tea also performed strongly, but other foods categories were
somewhat lower than last year. Russian and Eastern European markets
continued to be difficult.

In North America there was good growth in most home and personal care
categories, notably personal wash, deodorants and hair. This was
offset by declines in some food categories, mainly spreads and ice
cream and also in prestige. Margins and profits again improved.

In Africa and Middle East, sales were up 5%. Compared to a strong
third quarter in 1998 profits in South Africa fell, due to rephasing
of promotional activities, but improved results elsewhere in the
region largely compensated for this.

In Asia and Pacific, sales were up 10% across the region, in part due
to economic recovery in East Asia. There were particularly good
performances in India, Japan and Vietnam. Margins and profits both
rose strongly despite a higher level of marketing investments.

In Latin America, sales rose 4% despite the difficult economic
conditions. Our ice cream and personal care categories both performed
well. We continue to invest to defend our strong market positions,
particularly in laundry, and margin and profit development reflects
this commitment.


NINE MONTHS

At constant rates of exchange, sales increased by 1% and operating
profit before exceptional items rose by 6%. Net profit, also before
exceptional items, is up 4%.

At  current  rates  of  exchange, net profit after  exceptional  items
decreased  by  8%  in  guilders and sterling and 10%  in  US  dollars,
influenced by the swing in exceptional items referred to above.

Taking  account of the share consolidation in June 1999, earnings  per
share decreased by 4% in guilders and sterling and 6% in US dollars.


INTERIM DIVIDEND

In accordance with the interim dividend policy, the interim dividend
has been set at 35% of last year's total normal dividend per share,
based on the stronger of our two reporting currencies over the first
nine months, which for this period was the guilder.  The interim
dividend, to be paid on 17 December 1999, is therefore fixed at Fl.
0.88 per Fl. 1.12 ordinary share of Unilever N.V., an increase of 9%
from last year. The interim dividend per 1.40p ordinary share of
Unilever PLC is set at 3.93p, an increase of 33% from last year. PLC's
interim dividend in respect of 1999 has been calculated without
reference to ACT. The Unilever N.V. shares will go ex-dividend on 8
November 1999, and the Unilever PLC shares will go ex-dividend on 15
November 1999.


ADVANCE CORPORATION TAX (ACT)

In  accordance with the provisions of the UK Finance Act 1998, ACT was
abolished  with effect from 6 April 1999. Therefore, PLC is no  longer
required  to take ACT into account under the terms of the Equalisation
Agreement.


BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

The main movements in the balance sheet from the start of this year to
the end of the third quarter were in debtors, net funds and trade and
other creditors. Debtors were somewhat higher at the end of the third
quarter, mainly due to seasonal factors. Net funds at closing rates of
exchange were £0.4 billion, compared to £4.1 billion at the end of
l998. The decrease in funds is mainly due to payment of the special
dividend of £4 billion, and the normal part of the final dividend for
l998. These were included in trade and other creditors at the end of
l998.

Capital and reserves increased by £1.6 billion reflecting profits in
the period, together with the issue of 211 million  preference shares,
amounting to £0.9 billion in value, to those shareholders in Unilever
N.V. who elected to receive the special dividend in that form.

Cash flow from operating activities in the nine months was strong at
£2.5 billion. This was almost £0.5 billion higher than the
corresponding period last year and arises from lower investment in
working capital.


YEAR 2000

In mid-1996 Unilever began a comprehensive programme to secure business
continuity throughout the millennium date change period.

All preparatory phases of the programme are complete, covering internal
compliance, assessment of supply chain partners and infrastructure
providers and preparation of contingency plans.

During the remaining weeks prior to the end of the year, we are
minimising changes to systems and exercising continual vigilance to
ensure Y2k compliance is maintained.  We have introduced a communication
system linking all business units for regular information exchange and to
alert key functions and our operating companies where events require
urgent action. We have a programme of training and rehearsal for the
millennium transition period.

It remains difficult to assess the impact of any service interruptions
from suppliers or public utilities resulting from Year 2000 failures.
However, we believe we have taken the necessary actions to mitigate the
risks of disruption to our business during the date changeover period. A
combination of minor failures is now the most likely source of business
interruption. Preparation of business continuity plans to address the
highest priority concerns are now complete.

Cumulatively we have spent £170 million on this programme.  The
current estimated total expenditure of protecting business continuity
throughout the millennium change period is around £250 million.  This
includes all external costs, associated depreciation on capital
expenditure, and directly related internal costs during the period
from 1996 to completion of the programme, which will extend beyond
2000.

EURO REPORTING

We are publishing supplementary results information in euro throughout
1999 and will replace the guilder and sterling with the euro as the
reporting currency from the first quarter 2000. Following this change
supplementary information will be available in sterling.

Supplementary information in euro is given in the attachment to this
announcement.


CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT - CONSTANT EXCHANGE RATES
(unaudited)


In the profit and loss account given below, the results in both years
have been translated at constant exchange rates, being the annual
average exchange rates for 1998.  This reporting convention
facilitates comparisons since the impact of exchange rate fluctuations
is eliminated.

Third Quarter       £ Millions                               Nine Months
                                                                       
1999   1998  Incr./                                       1999   1998   Incr./
            (Decr.)                                                    (Decr.)
                                                                 
7,065  6,928   2 %   TURNOVER                            20,721  20,432    1 %
  886  1,054 (16)%   OPERATING PROFIT                     2,217   2,346   (5)%
  934    909   3 %   Operating Profit before              2,333   2,195    6 %
                       exceptional items
    9      7         Income from fixed investments           26      19      
  (27)    15         Interest (net)                          17      74      
  868  1,076 (19)%   PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION               2,260   2,439   (7)%
 (282)  (368)        Taxation                              (723)   (808)      
  586    708 (17)%   PROFIT AFTER TAXATION                1,537   1,631   (6)%
  (37)   (30)        Minority Interests                     (98)    (85)      
                     NET PROFIT AT CONSTANT 1998                        
  549    678 (19)%   EXCHANGE RATES                       1,439   1,546   (7)%
  584    601  (3)%   Net Profit before exceptional items  1,520   1,460    4 %
                     NET PROFIT AT EXCHANGE RATES                       
  554    676 (18)%   CURRENT IN EACH PERIOD               1,420   1,539   (8)%
                     COMBINED EARNINGS PER SHARE *                      
 8.09p  9.07p(11)%   -  per 1.40p (1998: 1.25p)           19.90p  20.61p  (4)%
                    ordinary share
 7.88p  8.85p(11)%   -  per 1.40p (1998: 1.25p)           19.40p  20.11p  (4)%
                    ordinary share - diluted

* See note on page 9 on 'Share Consolidation'

STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES (unaudited)

£ Millions                                                Nine Months
                                                          1999      1998
                                                  
Net profit                                               1,420     1,539
Currency retranslation                                    (255)     (146)
Total recognised gains                                   1,165     1,393

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)
£ Millions                                                
                                                       As at 2   As at 31
                                                       October   December
                                                         1999      1998
Goodwill                                                  339        200
Fixed assets                                            5,543      5,885
Stocks                                                  3,192      3,351
Debtors                                                 4,934      4,755
Cash and current investments                            4,010      7,329
Trade & other creditors                                (6,111)   (11,586)
                                                       ______     ______ 
                                                       11,907      9,934
                                                          
Borrowings                                              3,646      3,250
Provisions for liabilities and charges                  2,947      3,044
Minority interests                                        315        288
Capital and reserves                                    4,999      3,352
                                                       ______     ______
                                                       11,907      9,934

CASH FLOW STATEMENT (unaudited)

£ Millions                                                   Nine Months
                                                             1999      1998
Cash flow from operating activities                         2,547      2,056
Returns on investments and servicing of finance               (78)        -
Taxation                                                     (573)      (588)
Capital expenditure and financial investment                 (680)      (621)
Acquisitions and disposals                                   (191)       287
Dividends paid on ordinary share capital                   (4,532)      (469)
CASH INFLOW / (OUTFLOW) BEFORE                            
MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES AND FINANCING               (3,507)       665
Management of liquid resources                              3,090       (883)
Financing                                                     576        395
INCREASE IN CASH IN THE PERIOD                                159        177

RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS

NET FUNDS AT 1 JANUARY                                      4,079      3,183
INCREASE IN CASH IN THE PERIOD                                159        177
Cash flow from (increase)/decrease in borrowings             (571)      (389)
Cash flow from increase/(decrease) in liquid resources     (3,090)       883
Change in net funds resulting from cash flows              (3,502)       671
Borrowings within group companies acquired                     (1)       (17)
Borrowings within group companies sold                         -           2
Liquid resources within group companies acquired                1          -
Liquid resources within group companies sold                   -          (1)
Non cash movements                                             (2)        26
Currency retranslation                                       (212)        92
MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS IN THE PERIOD                        (3,716)       773
NET FUNDS AT  PERIOD END                                      363      3,956

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Third Quarter        £ Millions                               Nine Months
 1999  1998 %Incr./                                       1999   1998% Incr./
             (Decr.)                                                   (Decr.)
                      
                      Turnover                                         
                                                                      
3,290  3,304   - %    Europe                             9,608   9,750   (1)%
1,459  1,459   - %    North America                      4,244   4,213    1 %
  405    385   5 %    Africa and Middle East             1,181   1,113    6 %
1,056    962  10 %    Asia and Pacific                   3,133   2,883    9 %
  855    818   4 %    Latin America                      2,555   2,473    3 %
7,065  6,928   2 %    TURNOVER                          20,721  20,432    1 %
                                                              
                                                                      
                      Operating profit - before                        
                      exceptional items
                                                                      
  540    523   3 %    Europe                             1,227   1,213    1 %
  179    171   5 %    North America                        412     361   14 %
   49     50  (4)%    Africa and Middle East               141     123   14 %
  121     96  27 %    Asia and Pacific                     330     255   30 %
   45     69 (34)%    Latin America*                       223     243   (8)%
  934    909   3 %    Sub-total                          2,333   2,195    6 %
 (48)    145          Exceptional Items                  (116)     151      
  886  1,054 (16)%    OPERATING PROFIT                  2,217    2,346   (5)%
                                                                      
  %     %             Operating margin - before         %     %     
                      exceptional items
                                                                      
16.4%  15.8%          Europe                             12.8%    12.4%      
12.2%  11.7%          North America                       9.7%     8.6%      
12.0%  13.0%          Africa and Middle East             11.9%    11.1%      
11.5%   9.9%          Asia and Pacific                   10.5%     8.8%      
 5.3%   8.5%          Latin America                       8.7%     9.8%      
13.2%  13.1%          OPERATING MARGIN BEI               11.3%    10.7%      
12.5%  15.2%          OPERATING MARGIN                   10.7%    11.5%      

* Note: At current rates of exchange for the first nine months of 1999
operating profit for Latin America reduces by approximately £33
million, reflecting the currency devaluations in the region.

OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS

  Third Quarter       £ Millions                             Nine Months
 1999   1998 %Incr./                                        1999  1998 %Incr./
              (Decr.)                                                  (Decr.)
                                                 
                      TURNOVER                                    
                                                                  
3,580  3,593   - %  Foods                                 10,564  10,778 (2)%
                                                               
1,214  1,295  (6)%  Oil and dairy based foods and bakery   3,621   3,789 (4)% 
1,352  1,247   8 %  Ice cream and beverages                3,697   3,643  1 %
1,014  1,051  (4)%  Culinary and frozen products           3,246   3,346 (3)%
1,558  1,489   5 %  Home Care and Professional Cleaning    4,671   4,432  5 %
1,832  1,754   4 %  Personal Care                          5,213   4,943  5 %
   95     92   2 %  Other Operations                         273     279 (2)%
7,065  6,928   2 %  TURNOVER                              20,721  20,432  1 %
                                                              
                                                                        
                    OPERATING PROFIT - before                         
                    exceptional items
                                                                        
  460    442   4 %  Foods                                  1,075   1,053   2 %
  128    148 (13)%  Oil and dairy based foods and bakery     356     354   1 %
  221    192  15 %  Ice cream and beverages                  414     394   5 %
  111    102   8 %  Culinary and frozen products             305     305   - %
  134    184 (27)%  Home Care and Professional Cleaning      453     466  (3)%
  330    274  20 %  Personal Care                            763     622  23 %
   10      9  11 %  Other Operations                          42      54 (22)%
  934    909   3 %  Subtotal                                2,333   2,195  6 %
 (48)    145        Exceptional items                        (116)    151  
  886  1,054 (16)%  OPERATING PROFIT                        2,217   2,346 (5)%
                                                                        
  %     %           OPERATING MARGIN - before                   %      %      
                    exceptional items  
  12.8%  12.3%      Foods                                     10.2%   9.8%    
  10.6%  11.4%      Oil and dairy based foods and bakery       9.8%   9.3%    
  16.3%  15.4%      Ice cream and beverages                   11.2%  10.8%    
  10.9%   9.8%      Culinary and frozen products               9.4%   9.1%    
   8.6%  12.3%      Home Care and Professional Cleaning        9.7%  10.5%    
  18.0%  15.6%      Personal Care                             14.6%  12.6%    
  11.0%  10.1%     Other Operations                           15.4%  19.4%    
  13.2%  13.1%     OPERATING MARGIN BEI                       11.3%  10.7%    
  12.5%  15.2%     OPERATING MARGIN                           10.7%  11.5%    
  
NOTES

Acquisitions

In the first nine months of 1999 the effect on turnover and operating
profit of acquisitions made in the period was £45 million and a £1
million loss respectively.

Exchange Rates

The results for 1999 and the comparative figures for 1998 have been
translated at constant average rates of exchange, being the annual
average rates for 1998.  For our reporting currencies these were £1 =
Fl. 3.29 = US $1.66.  In addition, the results, earnings per share and
cash flow statement have been translated at rates current in each
period. For our reporting currencies these were:

              Third Quarter            Nine Months
1999 £1 = Fl. 3.36 = US $ 1.61     £1 = Fl. 3.31 = US $1.61
1998 £1 = Fl. 3.29 = US $ 1.65     £1 = Fl. 3.33 = US $1.65

The balance sheet figures have been translated at period-end rates of
exchange.  For our reporting currencies these were £1 = Fl. 3.41 = US
$1.66 at the end of the first nine months (31 December 1998: £1 = Fl.
3.12 = US $1.66).

Change in Accounting Standards

Following the adoption of United Kingdom Financial Reporting Standard
14 'Earnings per share', dividends paid on own shares held internally
to meet Employee Share Option plans have been excluded both from the
results for the period and from dividends. 1998 figures have been
restated on the same basis.

Share consolidation

On 9th June 1999 the 1.25p ordinary shares of PLC were consolidated,
so that every 112 1.25p ordinary shares was replaced by 100 1.40p
ordinary shares. This consolidation was associated with the payment of
a special dividend of 66.13p per 1.25p share, so that the economic
impact was that of a share buy back at fair value and therefore, in
accordance with UK Accounting Standard FRS14, earnings per share for
prior periods have not been restated.

Combined earnings per share

The average combined number of share units used to calculate EPS are:

1.40p               Basic               Diluted
Cumulative Q3       7,086,800,207       7,269,424,755
End of Q3           6,609,998,704       6,792,623,253

Fl. 1.12            Basic               Diluted
Cumulative Q3       1,063,020,030       1,090,413,713
End of Q3             991,499,805       1,018,893,488

The combined earnings per share calculations are based on the average
number of share units representing the combined ordinary shares of NV
and PLC in issue during the year, less the average number of shares
held to meet options granted under various employee share plans.

The number of combined share units is calculated from the underlying
NV and PLC shares using the exchange rate of £1 = Fl. 12, in
accordance with the Equalisation Agreement, taking into account the
share consolidation of 9th June 1999.

The diluted earnings per share is based on the basic average number of
share units, plus all shares under option together, with those PLC
shares which will be issued in 2038 under the arrangements for the
variation of the Leverhulme Trust. This is reduced, in accordance with
FRS 14, by the number of shares that could be purchased with the
expected proceeds from the exercise of options by employees.


INTERIM DIVIDENDS

The Boards today declared interim dividends in respect of 1999 on the
ordinary shares at the following rates which are equivalent in value
at the rate of exchange applied under the terms of the Equalisation
Agreement between the two companies:

PLC

Per ordinary share       3.93p (1998: 2.95p)

N.V.

Per ordinary share       Fl. 0.88 (1998: Fl. 0.81)

The PLC interim dividend will be paid on 17 December 1999, to
shareholders registered at close of business on
19 November 1999.

The N.V. interim dividend will be payable as from 17 December 1999, to
shareholders registered at close of business on 5 November 1999.

In previous years Advance Corporation Tax ('ACT') in respect of any
dividend paid by PLC was treated as part of the dividend for the
purpose of equalising N.V.'s and PLC's dividends under the
Equalisation Agreement.  In line with this, PLC's 1998 interim
dividend was calculated by reference to the then rate of ACT
(twenty/eightieths).  ACT was abolished with effect from 6 April 1999
and therefore PLC's 1999 interim dividend has been calculated without
reference to ACT.

Dates

The provisional results for the fourth quarter and for the year 1999
and the proposed final dividends for 1999 will be published on Tuesday
22nd February, 2000.

Salient figures for the above results will be published in the
Financial Times and Daily Telegraph on Saturday 6 November 1999.


ENQUIRIES: UNILEVER PRESS OFFICE 0171 822 6805
Internet: http://www.unilever.com
E-mail:  [e-mail]