McCormick stock jumps on merger talks with Unilever's food unit, no confirmation in earnings report

McCormick & Co. shares rose sharply after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings but did not mention ongoing merger talks with Unilever's food business. The potential deal, rumored to include a $16 billion cash component, would combine McCormick's spice and condiment brands with Unilever's food portfolio, including Hellmann’s and Knorr. Investors are closely watching for official announcements, but the earnings report itself focused solely on financial results without addressing the merger speculation.