Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by Mar Vista Investment Partners LLC

Mar Vista Investment Partners LLC cut its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 7.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 521,079 shares of the company's stock after selling 40,195 shares during the quarter. Unilever comprises 2.6% of Mar Vista Investment Partners LLC's holdings, making the stock its 21st largest position. Mar Vista Investment Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $31,030,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UL. May Hill Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at $296,000. Stonegate Investment Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 69.7% in the first quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock worth $850,000 after buying an additional 5,867 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Unilever by 33.2% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 934,804 shares of the company's stock worth $55,668,000 after acquiring an additional 232,945 shares during the period. Argent Trust Co lifted its holdings in Unilever by 34.2% in the fourth quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 45,387 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,573,000 after acquiring an additional 11,555 shares during the period. Finally, Value Partners Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Unilever by 56.7% in the first quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 13,958 shares of the company's stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 5,051 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Up 0.4%

NYSE:UL traded up $0.22 on Monday, reaching $61.01. 2,399,724 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,572,740. The firm has a market capitalization of $149.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.41. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $54.32 and a 52-week high of $65.87. The business has a fifty day moving average of $62.37 and a 200-day moving average of $59.86.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $0.5151 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.38%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is 59.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on UL shares. UBS Group upgraded Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of Unilever in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Unilever currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $70.67.

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.