AMSTERDAM (AP) - Unilever PLC, the consumer products giant, has reported a net profit of (euro) 4.25 billion ($5.60 billion) for the full year 2011, reflecting a year in which the company struggled to cut costs and pass higher commodity expenses on to struggling consumers in developed economies.
The 2011 profit figure is just a fraction of a percent higher than the (euro) 4.24 billion Unilever made in 2010. The company said margins had also fallen fractionally: revenues grew 5.0 percent to (euro) 46.5 billion.
Unilever is the maker of products such as Dove soaps, Lipton teas, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.