Unilever first half profits soar 22.4 percent

Food and consumer products giant Unilever said on Thursday profits soared in the first half of 2017, raking in 3.3 billion euros after the Anglo-Dutch firm spurned a takeover bid by US rival Kraft Heinz.The 22.4 percent hike in the first six months compared to the same period last year showed "a substantial step-up in profitability despite the persisting volatile global trading environment," chief executive Paul Polman said."The transformation of Unilever into a more resilient, more competitive