Speaking at an investor meeting, CEO Paul Polman also said that high valuations in the industry would not be a deterrent for the right deal.

"We continue to look at opportunities to bring our personal care business more premium," Polman said.

Pointing to high deal valuations, he added: "That would not deter us from doing the right thing for the company long term."

(Reporting by Martinne Geller in London; Editing by David Goodman)

Stocks treated in this article : UNILEVER, Unilever plc