Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC Grows Position in Unilever PLC $UL

Key Points

• Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC increased its holdings in Unilever PLC by 185.9%, making it the company's 7th largest position with 123,762 shares valued at $7,370,000.
• Analysts have mixed views on Unilever, with two rating it as a Strong Buy and others issuing Hold and Sell ratings, resulting in a current average rating of Moderate Buy.
• Unilever has increased its quarterly dividend to $0.5175 per share, reflecting a dividend yield of 3.3%, with the ex-dividend date set for August 15th.

Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 185.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 123,762 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 80,473 shares during the quarter. Unilever makes up 0.6% of Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $7,370,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mission Wealth Management LP increased its stake in Unilever by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 11,497 shares of the company's stock worth $685,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Unilever by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 16,246 shares of the company's stock worth $967,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Unilever by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 21,492 shares of the company's stock worth $1,280,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the period. Cardinal Capital Management increased its stake in Unilever by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 39,953 shares of the company's stock worth $2,379,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the period. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont increased its stake in Unilever by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 35,729 shares of the company's stock worth $2,128,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UL traded up $0.55 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $62.55. 1,599,849 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,254,127. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $54.32 and a 52 week high of $65.87. The company has a market cap of $153.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.92, a PEG ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $61.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $60.78.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.5175 per share. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is presently 59.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. CICC Research initiated coverage on Unilever in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. BNP Paribas raised Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on Unilever in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, UBS Group raised Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Unilever currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $73.00.

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.