Philip Morris International vs Unilever

Philip Morris International and Unilever are compared on this page to help readers understand how their business models, financial performance, and market context differ. The comparison covers strategic approaches, revenue streams, cost structures, and competitive landscapes in their respective sectors, without favouring one side over the other. Educational content, not financial advice.

Philip Morris International and Unilever are compared on this page to help readers understand how their business models, financial performance, and market context differ. The comparison covers strateg...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

PM

Metric

UL

$273.59B

Market Cap

$144.61B

-1.84%

Potential Profit

11.26%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

Philip Morris Ramps Up U.S. Push with New Business Units and $20B+ Investments to Accelerate Smoke-Free Shift.

New PMI U.S. unit under Stacey Kennedy targets ZYN expansion and IQOS rollout, bolstering supply chains and capturing rising demand for reduced-risk alternatives.
PMI International, led by Frederic de Wilde, drives multicategory smoke-free strategy outside the U.S., balancing combustibles decline with harm reduction gains.
Experts urged FDA's TPSAC on January 22 to approve ZYN as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product, building on prior authorizations to enhance market positioning.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Unilever Shares Surge to Weekly Highs Amid Consumer Staples Resilience.

Stock advanced 2.24% on January 23 to $67.00, building on a 2.06% weekly gain through January 22 at $65.53, outpacing recent dips.
Analyst views remain split with a Hold consensus, highlighted by JPMorgan's Overweight reiteration and raised target, balancing Sell calls from UBS and Jefferies.
Consumer staples sector trends bolster UL, as steady demand for core products drives gains amid volatile broader markets.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Philip Morris Ramps Up U.S. Push with New Business Units and $20B+ Investments to Accelerate Smoke-Free Shift.

New PMI U.S. unit under Stacey Kennedy targets ZYN expansion and IQOS rollout, bolstering supply chains and capturing rising demand for reduced-risk alternatives.
PMI International, led by Frederic de Wilde, drives multicategory smoke-free strategy outside the U.S., balancing combustibles decline with harm reduction gains.
Experts urged FDA's TPSAC on January 22 to approve ZYN as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product, building on prior authorizations to enhance market positioning.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Unilever Shares Surge to Weekly Highs Amid Consumer Staples Resilience.

Stock advanced 2.24% on January 23 to $67.00, building on a 2.06% weekly gain through January 22 at $65.53, outpacing recent dips.
Analyst views remain split with a Hold consensus, highlighted by JPMorgan's Overweight reiteration and raised target, balancing Sell calls from UBS and Jefferies.
Consumer staples sector trends bolster UL, as steady demand for core products drives gains amid volatile broader markets.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Philip Morris International

PM

Pros

Philip Morris International (PM) has a strong 5-year total shareholder return of nearly 153%, reflecting long-term investor rewards from strategic shifts toward smoke-free products.
The company is undergoing a major corporate restructuring in 2026 to separate U.S. and international operations, aiming to accelerate growth in smoke-free categories.
PM has a significant market capitalization of over $233 billion and continues to increase its dividend, highlighting robust financial health and shareholder returns.

Considerations

Philip Morris International's return on equity (ROE) has been negative over recent years, indicating challenges in profitability compared to peers like Unilever.
Current market sentiment for PM is bearish with price forecasts predicting a potential decline of around 9% by the end of 2025, suggesting near-term valuation risks.
The stock trades at a high price-to-earnings ratio well above the global tobacco industry average, which could imply the current price already incorporates strong growth expectations.

Unilever

UL

Pros

Unilever is a leading international consumer goods company with a strong global footprint, including significant exposure to fast-growing markets in Asia Pacific and Africa.
The company benefits from a diversified portfolio across food, personal care, and household products, providing stability against sector-specific risks.
Unilever maintains a solid return on equity around 20%, indicating efficient use of capital and profitable operations relative to many peers.

Considerations

Unilever faces structural competitive pressures and evolving consumer preferences, which may affect its growth momentum in mature markets.
Exposure to volatile commodity prices and inflationary pressures can impact input costs and margins, posing challenges to near-term profitability.
The company's growth trajectory is less dynamic compared to high-growth sectors, which could limit upside potential relative to companies undergoing significant transformation.

Related Market Insights

The Recession-Proof Portfolio: Why These Stocks Thrive When Markets Crumble

Discover recession-proof stocks that thrive in economic downturns. Build a stable, defensive portfolio with essential goods companies. Invest with Nemo's curated Neme.