Unilever reported net revenue from continuing operations for the fourth quarter ending December 2007 increased 2% from a year ago to 9.89 billion euros. The company’s operating profit increased 3% to 1.097 billion, while net income declined 13% to 782 million euros.

Net profit from total operations declined 63% from a year ago to 787 million euros. Earnings per share from continuing operations amounted to 25 euro cents.

For the full-year sales from continuing operations increased 1% to 40.187 billion euros, operating profit decreased 3% to 5.24 billion euros, net income increased 10% to 4.056 billion euros.

Net income from total operations fell 18% to 4.136 billion euros. Earnings per share in the year rose 12% to 1.32 euros.

Throughout the year, sales growth averaged between 5.5% and 6.1%. In the fourth quarter there has been an increasing contribution from higher pricing, 1.8% for the year and rising to 3% in the fourth quarter, in response to sharply higher commodity costs.

The steady sales rise Europe continued, with 2.8% growth in the year. The fourth quarter was particularly strong, at 5.5%, versus a weak quarter a year ago.

Cash flow from operating activities was 5.2 billion euros, or 0.4 billion euros lower than in 2006 due to higher cash costs of restructuring and increased contributions to pension funding.

Return on invested capital was 12.7% in 2007. This represented an improvement from 11.5% in 2006, adjusted for the profit on the disposal of frozen foods.