LONDON, November 7: Anglo-Dutch consumer group Unilever Plc/NV announced on Friday a huge leap to Pound 600 million in charges for 1997 due to the loss on the sale of non-priority businesses.

The increase from Pound 237 million in 1996 will come from stepping up the pace of restructuring and adjusting the portfolio of brands and assets.

In addition, the group said it expected to take a further exceptional charge of Pound 200 million below operating profit in the fourth quarter from the sale of unwanted plant and equipment.

The unexpectedly large exceptional charges were included in the group's statement of third-quarter earnings which showed a 15-per cent increase on a pre-tax basis to Pound 934 million.

Sales and trading profits improved in the period, excluding the sale of the group's speciality chemicals division to ICI Plc in July. Underlying sales were up five per cent.In Europe, margins improved further as a result of reshaping the portfolio of brands and icecream sales were well ahead of last year.

There was strong growth in sales and profits in the developing markets driven by India and southeast Asia, Chile and Mexico.

At constant rates of exchange, Unilever net profit rose 18 per cent to Pound 590 million (Pound 997.6 million) in the three months to September 30, 1997 but by four per cent to Pound 524 million at current exchange rates.

At constant rates of exchange, sales rose by one per cent over the first nine months last year to 25.071 billion and trading profit increased by 14 per cent to Pound 2.393 billion.

Excluding the profit on the sale of the group's speciality chemicals, business net profit was up 22 per cent at Pound 1.433 billion.

Unilever products range from Brut aftershave and Pond's soap to Solero ice creams, deodorant and hair care products like Salon Selectives and household care products, such as Surf, Sunlight and Rinso.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.