J.Safra Asset Management Corp Takes $265,000 Position in Unilever PLC $UL

Key Points

• J.Safra Asset Management Corp purchased a new position in Unilever PLC, acquiring 4,345 shares valued at approximately $265,000.
• Several analysts have issued varying ratings on Unilever stock, with a consensus of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $73.00.
• Unilever recently announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.5175 per share, reflecting a 3.4% yield and a payout ratio of 59.31%.

J.Safra Asset Management Corp purchased a new position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 4,345 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $265,000.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mission Wealth Management LP grew its position in Unilever by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 11,497 shares of the company's stock valued at $685,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Unilever by 1.9% in the second quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC now owns 8,700 shares of the company's stock worth $532,000 after buying an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings 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 valued at $967,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased 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 valued at $1,280,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cardinal Capital Management increased 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 valued at $2,379,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on UL shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. CICC Research initiated coverage on Unilever in a report on Thursday, August 21st. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Sunday, August 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $73.00.

Unilever Price Performance

UL stock opened at $60.11 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $147.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.53 and a beta of 0.40. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $54.32 and a 1 year high of $65.66. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $61.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.65.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th were given a $0.5175 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 15th. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. Unilever's payout ratio is 59.31%.

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.

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