Hamlin Capital Management LLC Sells 106,139 Shares of Unilever PLC $UL

Key Points

• Hamlin Capital sold 106,139 shares of Unilever in Q4 (a 4.4% reduction), leaving it with 2,324,273 shares—about 0.11% of Unilever and valued at roughly $152 million—making UL its 17th largest holding and 3.6% of its portfolio.
• Unilever missed expectations in its latest quarter (EPS $0.75 vs. $1.75 expected; revenue $11.87B vs. $31.39B expected), and analysts are mixed overall with an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $65.55.
• The company is in active talks to sell or spin off its foods arm (reportedly to McCormick), a move that could unlock value but also creates execution, integration and near‑term investor uncertainty.

Hamlin Capital Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 4.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,324,273 shares of the company's stock after selling 106,139 shares during the period. Unilever accounts for 3.6% of Hamlin Capital Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Hamlin Capital Management LLC owned about 0.11% of Unilever worth $152,007,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Asset Dedication LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 108.8% in the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 476 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UL shares. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price target on shares of Unilever and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. UBS Group restated a "sell" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $65.55.

Unilever Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $61.53 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $61.25 and a 52 week high of $74.97. The company's fifty day moving average is $68.51 and its 200 day moving average is $67.83.

Unilever (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.75 by ($1.00). The company had revenue of $11.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.39 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Unilever PLC will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $0.5547 dividend. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th.

Trending Headlines about Unilever

Here are the key news stories impacting Unilever this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Potential value unlock — a spin‑off or sale of Unilever’s foods arm would leave a more focused beauty & personal‑care Unilever and could create shareholder value if assets are re‑rated. Unilever in Talks to Separate Food Business and Combine It With McCormick
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic fit for foods — McCormick’s dealmaking track record (e.g., Frank’s, Cholula) suggests the combined foods business could be positioned for growth under a specialist owner. From Frank's to Cholula, McCormick's decade of deals sets stage for bold Unilever move
• Neutral Sentiment: Unilever confirms talks but stresses no agreement yet — active discussions and an inbound offer are underway, so timing and terms remain uncertain. Unilever confirms talks with McCormick over sale of foods business
• Neutral Sentiment: Process still fluid — reports say the deal could be structured as an all‑stock combination and could move quickly, but market reaction will hinge on swap terms and governance. Unilever in talks to combine food business with McCormick, WSJ reports
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and integration risks — combining sizeable food brands with a smaller acquirer raises operational, regulatory and cultural risks that could pressure the stock if uncertainties persist. Quotes: Analysts and experts react to Unilever's potential food business sale to McCormick
• Negative Sentiment: Near‑term investor concern — foods is a meaningful revenue component and earlier reporting of a possible spin‑off coincided with share weakness; recent quarterly results also showed notable EPS and revenue misses, which amplify sensitivity to strategic disruption. Explainer: How important is food to Unilever?

About Unilever

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company with roots dating back to the early 20th century, formed from the merger of the British firm Lever Brothers and the Dutch company Margarine Unie. The company develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded products in personal care, home care and foods and refreshments. Unilever's corporate structure and listings reflect its long history in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and it operates at scale across diverse consumer markets worldwide.

Unilever's business is organized around major product categories—Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care and Foods & Refreshment—and includes numerous well-known consumer brands across those categories.

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