Unilever shares jump as it defends price rises despite higher profits

Owner of Marmite, Dove and Ben & Jerry's says margins of 19.6% were helped by carry-over pricing'

Unilever has defended on-going price rises despite a better-than-expected 17% rise in profits.

The owner of Marmite, Dove and Ben & Jerry's said its profit margins had been helped by carry-over pricing from a period of higher inflation", as well as efficiency benefits from selling more products and more premium brands.