Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Stock Holdings Lessened by GQG Partners LLC

Key Points

• GQG Partners LLC has drastically reduced its stake in Unilever PLC by 91.8%, owning only 535,011 shares worth approximately $31.86 million after selling 5,961,294 shares.
• Unilever recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.5175 per share, an increase from its previous dividend, representing an annual yield of 3.4%.
• Research analysts are optimistic about Unilever's future, with two analysts rating it a strong buy and an average price target of $72.50 for the stock.

GQG Partners LLC reduced its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 91.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 535,011 shares of the company's stock after selling 5,961,294 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $31,860,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UL. Mission Wealth Management LP boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 1.4% during the first quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 11,497 shares of the company's stock worth $685,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 1.0% during the first quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 16,246 shares of the company's stock worth $967,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 0.8% during the first quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 21,492 shares of the company's stock worth $1,280,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the period. Cardinal Capital Management boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 0.4% during the first quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 39,953 shares of the company's stock worth $2,379,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the period. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 0.5% during the first quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 35,729 shares of the company's stock worth $2,128,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UL. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group upgraded Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Sunday, August 3rd. BNP Paribas raised Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $72.50.

Unilever Trading Down 1.1%

NYSE:UL traded down $0.70 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $60.98. 2,007,097 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,321,309. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $54.32 and a one year high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $149.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.47, a P/E/G ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 0.38. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $61.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $60.54.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a $0.5175 dividend. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is currently 59.31%.

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.