Cheviot Value Management LLC Takes $24.37 Million Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Key Points

• Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired 384,032 shares of Unilever PLC, valued at approximately $24.37 million, making it the firm's 10th largest position.
• Unilever recently increased its quarterly dividend to $0.5175, reflecting a 3.4% dividend yield for shareholders.
• Analyst ratings for Unilever show a mix of sentiments, with one downgrade to "hold" and multiple upgrades to "strong buy," resulting in an average rating of "Moderate Buy."

Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 384,032 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $24,374,000. Unilever accounts for approximately 3.0% of Cheviot Value Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Brentview Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 209.0% during the first quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 618 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 418 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth $43,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE UL traded down $0.03 on Tuesday, reaching $60.14. 601,853 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,533,263. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $61.50 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $60.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $147.56 billion, a PE ratio of 17.21, a PEG ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.38. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $54.32 and a one year high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $0.5175 dividend. This represents a $2.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is currently 59.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on UL. UBS Group raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. BNP Paribas upgraded Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unilever has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $72.50.

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.