Jennison Associates LLC Trims Stock Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Jennison Associates LLC lessened its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 1.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,413,364 shares of the company's stock after selling 41,322 shares during the quarter. Jennison Associates LLC owned approximately 0.14% of Unilever worth $203,266,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp acquired a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth approximately $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Stock Down 0.2%

UL traded down $0.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $59.69. 1,418,651 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,479,029. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $54.32 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $62.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $146.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.10, a PEG ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 0.41.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were given a $0.5151 dividend. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.45%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is 59.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on UL shares. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. 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 upgraded Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $70.67.

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.