Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by Trillium Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• Trillium Asset Management LLC reduced its holdings in Unilever PLC by 7.6%, owning 730,702 shares valued at approximately $43.51 million, making it the firm's 17th largest position.
• Analysts have mixed reviews on Unilever, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $72.50, while UBS upgraded the stock to a "hold" rating.
• Unilever recently increased its quarterly dividend to $0.5175 per share, representing a yield of 3.4% and a positive change from its previous dividend payment.

Trillium Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 7.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 730,702 shares of the company's stock after selling 60,268 shares during the quarter. Unilever accounts for 1.3% of Trillium Asset Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Trillium Asset Management LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $43,513,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 592.8% during the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 1,070,818 shares of the company's stock worth $60,715,000 after purchasing an additional 916,246 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 7,286.5% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 781,713 shares of the company's stock worth $46,551,000 after acquiring an additional 771,130 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 52.1% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,166,456 shares of the company's stock worth $122,838,000 after acquiring an additional 742,260 shares during the last quarter. Factory Mutual Insurance Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the first quarter worth approximately $34,533,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 220.9% in the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 626,102 shares of the company's stock worth $37,284,000 after acquiring an additional 431,005 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on UL. BNP Paribas raised shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reissued an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Sunday, August 3rd. UBS Group raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Two analysts have 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, Unilever presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $72.50.

Unilever Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE UL traded down $0.18 during trading on Friday, reaching $60.98. 2,006,682 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,529,052. The business's 50-day moving average price is $61.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.52. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $54.32 and a twelve month high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $149.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.38.

Unilever Increases Dividend

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