Stablepoint Partners LLC Raises Stock Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Stablepoint Partners LLC raised its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 10.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 100,165 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 9,655 shares during the period. Unilever makes up approximately 1.1% of Stablepoint Partners LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest position. Stablepoint Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $5,965,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $169,000. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of Unilever by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company's stock valued at $599,000 after buying an additional 539 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Unilever by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,038 shares of the company's stock valued at $399,000 after buying an additional 774 shares during the period. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its holdings in Unilever by 38.3% in the 4th quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,807 shares of the company's stock valued at $102,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trust Point Inc. raised its position in Unilever by 23.2% in the fourth quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 4,221 shares of the company's stock valued at $239,000 after purchasing an additional 794 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on UL shares. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. BNP Paribas upgraded Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 target price for the company. UBS Group raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Unilever has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $70.67.

Unilever Stock Down 0.5%

NYSE UL traded down $0.29 on Monday, hitting $62.73. 2,086,279 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,492,353. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $54.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $62.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $59.32. The company has a market cap of $154.18 billion, a PE ratio of 17.97, a PEG 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. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $0.5151 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.28%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.03%.

About Unilever

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.