Erste Group Bank Lifts Earnings Estimates for Unilever

Key Points

• Erste Group Bank raised its FY2026 EPS forecast for Unilever to $3.73 from $3.66, above the $3.50 consensus estimate, and projects FY2027 EPS of $3.96.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $65.55; ratings include two Strong Buys, three Buys, six Holds and two Sells.
• Unilever shares opened at $62.83, within a 52-week range of $54.75 to $74.97, while institutional investors own 9.67% of the company and several hedge funds recently increased their stakes.

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Erste Group Bank lifted their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of Unilever in a research note issued on Wednesday, August 5th. Erste Group Bank analyst S. Lingnau now forecasts that the company will earn $3.73 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $3.66. The consensus estimate for Unilever's current full-year earnings is $3.50 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Unilever's FY2027 earnings at $3.96 EPS.

UL has been the topic of a number of other reports. TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, July 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Unilever from a "sell (d)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $65.55.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL stock opened at $62.83 on Tuesday. Unilever has a 52 week low of $54.75 and a 52 week high of $74.97. The firm's 50-day moving average is $60.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $62.27.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Unilever by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company's stock valued at $599,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Unilever by 4.7% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 35,007 shares of the company's stock worth $2,085,000 after buying an additional 1,587 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL lifted its holdings in Unilever by 39.7% in the second quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 15,848 shares of the company's stock valued at $969,000 after buying an additional 4,501 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its holdings in Unilever by 70.5% in the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 378,313 shares of the company's stock valued at $23,141,000 after buying an additional 156,404 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in Unilever by 17.4% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 427,577 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,155,000 after acquiring an additional 63,376 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

About Unilever

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company with roots dating back to the early 20th century, formed from the merger of the British firm Lever Brothers and the Dutch company Margarine Unie. The company develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded products in personal care, home care and foods and refreshments. Unilever's corporate structure and listings reflect its long history in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and it operates at scale across diverse consumer markets worldwide.

Unilever's business is organized around major product categories—Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care and Foods & Refreshment—and includes numerous well-known consumer brands across those categories.

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