Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Bought by Merit Financial Group LLC

Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 94.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,789 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 13,468 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $1,655,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Mainstream Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on UL. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They set 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 assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $70.67.

Unilever Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Unilever stock traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $63.03. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,661,225 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,493,984. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $54.32 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The business has a fifty day moving average of $62.40 and a 200 day moving average of $59.31. The company has a market capitalization of $154.91 billion, a PE ratio of 18.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.43.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be given a $0.5151 dividend. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.03%.

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.