Modera Wealth Management LLC Has $13.60 Million Stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Key Points

• Modera Wealth Management LLC reduced its holdings in Unilever PLC by 3.5%, owning 228,427 shares worth approximately $13.6 million after the sale of 8,203 shares.
• Several institutional investors, including Mission Wealth Management and Cardinal Capital Management, have also adjusted their stakes in Unilever during the 1st quarter.
• Unilever shares currently have a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a target price of $72.50, despite mixed ratings from various analysts.

Modera Wealth Management LLC cut its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 3.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 228,427 shares of the company's stock after selling 8,203 shares during the quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $13,603,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 418 shares in the last quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $58,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL traded up $2.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $60.46. The company had a trading volume of 2,718,551 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,110,575. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $61.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.17. The company has a market cap of $148.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.32, a PEG ratio of 3.71 and a beta of 0.38. Unilever PLC has a 12-month low of $54.32 and a 12-month high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.5175 per share. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.03%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on UL shares. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a 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. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $72.50.

Unilever Company 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.