Price rises and higher sales in developing countries helped Anglo-Dutch Unilever to a slight increase in net profit last year, but the company remains cautious on 2012.

Turnover reached €11.6bn in the fourth quarter of the year, up 6.9% and in line with market expectations. The increase was almost entirely due to price rises.
Over 2011 as a whole, sales rose 5% to €46.5bn with underlying sales up 6.5%. Net profit rose 1% to €4.6bn.
Growth in developing markets offset declining sales in western Europe and the US, with personal care and home care products showing the sharpest growth, CEO Paul Polman said in a statement.