Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Stake Boosted by Cerity Partners LLC

Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 220.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 626,102 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 431,005 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $37,284,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of UL. Mission Wealth Management LP lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 11,497 shares of the company's stock valued at $685,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 1.0% in the first quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 16,246 shares of the company's stock worth $967,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. Cardinal Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 0.4% during the first quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 39,953 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,379,000 after buying an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management raised its position in Unilever by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 6,576 shares of the company's stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 180 shares during the period. Finally, Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. grew its stake in Unilever by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 9,956 shares of the company's stock valued at $565,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL opened at $60.76 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $149.14 billion, a PE ratio of 17.41, a PEG ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.41. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $62.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.85. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $54.32 and a twelve month high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a $0.5151 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Unilever's payout ratio is presently 59.03%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $70.67.

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.

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