Scotia Capital Inc. Buys 6,383 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Scotia Capital Inc. increased its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 2.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 244,299 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 6,383 shares during the period. Scotia Capital Inc.'s holdings in Unilever were worth $14,548,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UL. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Brentview Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 209.0% during 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UL opened at $60.46 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $148.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.32, a PEG ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.38. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $54.32 and a one year high of $65.87. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $61.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $60.29.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a $0.5175 dividend. This represents a $2.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is 59.03%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UL has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. BNP Paribas raised 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 report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $72.50.

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.

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