Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Bought by Eldred Rock Partners LLC

Eldred Rock Partners LLC grew its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 33.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 145,616 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 36,445 shares during the quarter. Unilever comprises approximately 2.7% of Eldred Rock Partners LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Eldred Rock Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $8,658,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth approximately $169,000. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 5.4% during the 4th 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. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth approximately $85,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 252.3% during the 4th quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 9,477 shares of the company's stock worth $537,000 after buying an additional 6,787 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Insight Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 44,511 shares of the company's stock worth $2,524,000 after buying an additional 2,067 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL traded down $0.02 during trading on Thursday, hitting $63.06. The company's stock had a trading volume of 942,979 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,489,238. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $62.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.22. The company has a market capitalization of $154.99 billion, a PE ratio of 18.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.44. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $54.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $0.5151 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is currently 59.03%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on UL. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 target price for the company. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unilever presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $70.67.

About Unilever

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.