Oct 23 (Reuters) - Unilever's ( UL ) third-quarter

underlying sales growth topped market expectations on Thursday,

driven by strength in its beauty products across North America

and emerging markets.

The consumer goods company, which also owns brands such as

Vaseline and Liquid I.V., reported third-quarter underlying

sales growth of 3.9%, beating analysts' expectations of 3.7%

from a company-compiled poll, while keeping its 2025 outlook

unchanged.

Earlier this week, it said the spin-off of its ice cream

business, originally scheduled for November 10, has been delayed

due to the U.S. government shutdown.

Unilever ( UL ) on Thursday projected the spin-off to be completed

in the fourth quarter, but provided no further details on the

revised timetable.