Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Stock Holdings Increased by ABC Arbitrage SA

Key Points

• ABC Arbitrage SA increased its stake in Unilever PLC by 61.7% during the first quarter, now holding 245,415 shares valued at approximately $14.6 million, making it the firm's 9th largest investment.
• Unilever recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.5175 per share, increasing its annualized yield to 3.4% from the previous $0.52.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on Unilever, with BNP Paribas upgrading to a "strong-buy," while the current consensus rating is "Moderate Buy" with a price target of $72.50.

ABC Arbitrage SA lifted its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 61.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 245,415 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 93,648 shares during the quarter. Unilever accounts for approximately 2.7% of ABC Arbitrage SA's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. ABC Arbitrage SA's holdings in Unilever were worth $14,614,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Unilever by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,906,824 shares of the company's stock worth $448,317,000 after buying an additional 257,538 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,103,075 shares of the company's stock worth $289,345,000 after purchasing an additional 250,053 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Unilever by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,925,891 shares of the company's stock valued at $233,787,000 after purchasing an additional 95,359 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in Unilever by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,926,892 shares of the company's stock worth $165,955,000 after purchasing an additional 14,083 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 742,260 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE UL traded up $0.69 on Wednesday, hitting $60.82. The stock had a trading volume of 2,928,192 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,271,867. The business's fifty day moving average price is $61.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.32. The stock has a market cap of $149.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.82 and a beta of 0.38. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $54.32 and a 52-week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.5175 per share. This represents a $2.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.31%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. UBS Group raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Sunday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $72.50.

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.