Ascent Group LLC Invests $492,000 in Unilever PLC $UL

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC has invested approximately $492,000 in Unilever PLC, acquiring 8,270 shares during the first quarter
• Unilever has declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.5175 per share, up from the previous $0.52, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 3.3%
• Analysts remain optimistic about Unilever's potential, with ratings ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Hold," and an average price target of $73.00

Ascent Group LLC bought a new stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 8,270 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $492,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. increased its stake in Unilever by 12.9% in the first quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 2,815 shares of the company's stock valued at $168,000 after acquiring an additional 321 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd increased its stake in Unilever by 75.2% in the first quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 18,122 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,079,000 after acquiring an additional 7,776 shares during the period. New England Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Unilever by 25.3% in the first quarter. New England Asset Management Inc. now owns 111,180 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,621,000 after acquiring an additional 22,440 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in Unilever by 1.6% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 63,362 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,773,000 after acquiring an additional 976 shares during the period. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC increased its stake in Unilever by 56.3% in the first quarter. Greenline Partners LLC now owns 1,596 shares of the company's stock valued at $95,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of Unilever stock opened at $62.81 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $154.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.00, a P/E/G ratio of 3.90 and a beta of 0.40. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $54.32 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $61.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.29.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.5175 per share. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Unilever's payout ratio is currently 59.31%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UL shares. CICC Research started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating on the stock. BNP Paribas raised shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Sunday, August 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $73.00.

Unilever 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.

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