Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Purchased by Alpha Cubed Investments LLC

Alpha Cubed Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 8.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 286,047 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 21,309 shares during the quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $17,034,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UL. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 5.4% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company's stock worth $599,000 after buying an additional 539 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 11.3% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 168,093 shares of the company's stock worth $9,531,000 after buying an additional 17,066 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 351.1% during the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 77,150 shares of the company's stock worth $4,374,000 after buying an additional 60,049 shares during the last quarter. Atria Investments Inc grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 8.7% during the fourth quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 55,031 shares of the company's stock worth $3,120,000 after buying an additional 4,399 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth about $210,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL stock traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $61.40. 1,852,485 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,494,011. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $62.59 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.73. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $54.32 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The firm has a market cap of $150.71 billion, a PE ratio of 17.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 0.41.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th were given a dividend of $0.5151 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.36%. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.03%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UL has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. BNP Paribas raised Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. UBS Group raised Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unilever currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $70.67.

Unilever Company Profile

Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through five segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment engages in the sale of hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and styling; skin care products including face, hand, and body moisturizer; and prestige beauty and health & wellbeing products consist of the vitamins, minerals, and supplements.