Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC Acquires 11,481 Shares of Unilever PLC $UL

Key Points

• Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC has increased its stake in Unilever PLC by 32.3%, acquiring an additional 11,481 shares in the second quarter, bringing its total holdings to 46,975 shares valued at $2.87 million.
• Unilever recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.5175, a slight increase from its previous dividend, which translates to an annual yield of 3.4%.
• Analysts have mixed views on Unilever, with three ratings for "Strong Buy," but also two "Sell" ratings, reflecting diverse perceptions of its future performance.

Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 32.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 46,975 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 11,481 shares during the quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $2,873,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mission Wealth Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 1.4% during the first quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 11,497 shares of the company's stock worth $685,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 1.9% during the second quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC now owns 8,700 shares of the company's stock worth $532,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 1.0% during the first quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 16,246 shares of the company's stock worth $967,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 0.8% during the first quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 21,492 shares of the company's stock worth $1,280,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 0.5% during the first quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 35,729 shares of the company's stock worth $2,128,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL opened at $60.92 on Thursday. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $54.32 and a 52-week high of $65.66. The business's 50 day moving average price is $61.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $61.64. The firm has a market cap of $149.46 billion, a PE ratio of 17.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.59 and a beta of 0.40.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th were paid a $0.5175 dividend. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 15th. Unilever's payout ratio is presently 59.31%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on UL shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. CICC Research started coverage on Unilever in a report on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Sunday, August 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently 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.

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