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Big Food's worst nightmare is unfolding across U.S. supermarket aisles.

Unilever's stock dipped following a Q4 earnings miss and the unexpected departure of CEO Hein Schumacher, raising questions about its turnaround momentum. Unilever's performance has been favorable relative to many peers over the past couple of years. With somewhat improved operational results and a fair valuation, there is still a case for owning Unilever here.

Unilever surprised investors on Tuesday by ousting chief executive Hein Schumacher and replacing him with finance chief Fernando Fernandez, who will focus on speeding up the execution of the consumer group's turnaround strategy.

Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher is stepping down after less than two years in the job, the company said Tuesday. Current CFO Fernando Fernandez is set to take his place leading the company, effective March 1.

Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) giving CEO Hein Schumacher his marching orders after less than two years is "unexpected" but his replacement Fernando Fernandez is "best placed to accelerate the value unlock", Barclays said. On Tuesday morning, the FTSE 100 consumer goods colossus announced that Schumacher, who started in July 2023, will be stepping down at the end of the week, with finance chief Fernandez taking over as CEO.

Unilever (ULVR) shares fell 2% in early London trading on Tuesday following the surprise announcement that chief executive Hein Schumacher will step down after just 18 months in the role. The consumer goods giant, which has been undergoing a major strategic reset, has appointed finance director Fernando Fernandez as his successor, effective March 1.

Fernando Fernandez, the current CFO, will take over as chief executive of the maker of Dove soap and Hellmann's mayonnaise from Hein Schumacher, who's stepping down on March 1 “by mutual agreement.”

Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) chief executive Hein Schumacher will step down next week after less than two years in charge.  The Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, maker of Domestos, Dove, Hellman's and Marmite, has decided to promote finance chief Fernando Fernandez to the CEO role instead.

Unilever said on Tuesday Hein Schumacher will step down as CEO and be replaced by finance chief Fernando Fernandez.

Unilever may struggle to attract buyers for its plant-based meat business, complicating the company's plan to cut its exposure to products which are falling out of favour with consumers, industry experts said.