Erste Group Bank Reduces Earnings Estimates for Unilever

Key Points

• Erste Group Bank trimmed its FY2027 EPS forecast for Unilever to $3.91 from $3.95, versus a MarketBeat consensus full‑year estimate of $3.27 per share.
• Unilever missed its latest quarter, reporting $0.75 EPS versus a $1.75 consensus and revenue of $11.87 billion versus $31.39 billion expected.
• Multiple broker downgrades have left the stock with an average rating of Hold and a $65.55 consensus target; shares opened at $55.73 and the company declared a $0.5547 quarterly dividend (annualized $2.22, ~4.0% yield).

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Erste Group Bank cut their FY2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Unilever in a report released on Thursday, April 2nd. Erste Group Bank analyst S. Lingnau now forecasts that the company will earn $3.91 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $3.95. The consensus estimate for Unilever's current full-year earnings is $3.27 per share.

Unilever (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.75 by ($1.00). The business had revenue of $11.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.39 billion.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group restated a "sell" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. DZ Bank cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 target price on Unilever and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Unilever from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $65.55.

Unilever Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE UL opened at $55.73 on Wednesday. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $66.77 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $66.73. Unilever has a one year low of $54.95 and a one year high of $74.97.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Unilever in the third quarter worth $25,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates bought a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC increased its position in Unilever by 108.8% in the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 476 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.5547 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%.

Unilever Company Profile

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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