Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Stake Raised by Commonwealth Equity Services LLC

Key Points

• Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in Unilever PLC by 2.0% during the first quarter, now owning 441,744 shares valued at over $26 million.
• Unilever recently announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.5175 per share, resulting in an annual yield of 3.4%.
• Analysts have mixed ratings for Unilever, with a current consensus of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $72.50.

Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 2.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 441,744 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 8,737 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $26,306,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UL. Brighton Jones LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company's stock worth $599,000 after buying an additional 539 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth about $218,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,626,000. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 16,182 shares of the company's stock worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Argent Trust Co lifted its holdings in Unilever by 34.2% during the 4th quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 45,387 shares of the company's stock worth $2,573,000 after buying an additional 11,555 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on UL. UBS Group upgraded Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target for the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Sunday, August 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $72.50.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL traded down $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $61.05. 2,120,505 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,386,603. The business's 50-day moving average price is $61.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.78 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 business also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is currently 59.31%.

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.