Unilever warned of a hit to profit margins this year as it struggles to pass on higher costs to consumers, and ruled out big acquisitions following recent investor criticism of its failed pursuit of GlaxoSmithKline's consumer health business.

China hopes the United States will remove additional tariffs on Chinese goods and end its sanctions and crackdowns as soon as possible to create conditions for trade cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

PARIS (Reuters) -Societe Generale struck a confident note for 2022 on Thursday after the French bank's profit hit 1.79 billion euros ($2.05 billion) in the fourth quarter on lower pandemic-related charges and a retail banking and equity trading rebound.

LONDON (Reuters) -Unilever forecast higher sales, but lower margins, this year as it grapples with soaring inflation, and ruled out big acquisitions following recent investor criticism of its failed pursuit of GlaxoSmithKline's consumer health business.

French spirits group Pernod Ricard said it expected strong sales growth in its 2022 fiscal year despite potential disruptions tied to the COVID-19 virus, after buoyant demand in the United States, China and Europe helped it beat first-half profit and sales forecasts, lifting its shares by over 3%.

(Reuters) -German online takeaway food company Delivery Hero said on Thursday it expected its revenue to grow further in 2022, boosted by extensive investments both in food delivery and its rapidly expanding quick commerce business, which aims to deliver goods in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.