Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Purchases 4,931 Shares of Unilever PLC $UL

Key Points

• Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC increased its stake in Unilever PLC by 42.1% during the first quarter, now holding 16,650 shares worth approximately $991,000.
• Unilever recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.5175 per share, reflecting an increase from the previous dividend and resulting in a 3.3% yield.
• Analysts have mixed opinions on Unilever, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and price targets ranging from $72.50 to $73.00.

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 42.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,650 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,931 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $991,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Brentview Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 209.0% in the 1st quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 618 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 418 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL stock traded down $0.97 on Monday, hitting $62.09. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,546,473 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,308,035. The stock has a market capitalization of $152.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.79, a P/E/G ratio of 3.90 and a beta of 0.38. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $54.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $61.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.77.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.5175 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $2.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Unilever's payout ratio is currently 59.31%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on UL shares. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Sunday, August 3rd. UBS Group upgraded Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $73.00.

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.