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Divestiture · Earnings · Nestle · Strategy
Nestle announced plans to sell its remaining ice cream business to the owner of Haagen-Dazs, a key strategic move to streamline its portfolio and focus on four main categories.
This divestiture was highlighted by CEO Philipp Navratil as shedding a business that was "strong, but small and a distraction." The announcement came alongside the company's fourth-quarter earnings report, which saw organic sales growth of 4%, surpassing analyst forecasts of 3.55%, leading to a 3% rise in shares. Additionally, Nestle initiated the formal process to shed its water business, including brands like Henniez and Perrier, expecting deconsolidation by 2027.
The company also provided 2026 guidance, targeting 3% to 4% organic sales growth, despite a negative 20 basis point impact from an infant formula recall, which also led to 1.7 billion Swiss francs in restructuring items. This strategic shakeup aims to improve underlying trading operating profit margins and accelerate the company's overall strategy.
