Washington Trust Bank Makes New Investment in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Washington Trust Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 4,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $262,000.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mission Wealth Management LP raised its position in Unilever by 1.4% in the first quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 11,497 shares of the company's stock worth $685,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its position in 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 acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. Cardinal Capital Management raised its position in Unilever by 0.4% in the first quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 39,953 shares of the company's stock worth $2,379,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the period. Tyler Stone Wealth Management raised its position in Unilever by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 6,576 shares of the company's stock worth $373,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares during the period. Finally, Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. raised its position in Unilever by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 9,956 shares of the company's stock worth $565,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Unilever stock traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $60.68. 263,467 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,487,389. The company's fifty day moving average is $62.51 and its 200-day moving average is $59.77. The firm has a market cap of $148.95 billion, a PE ratio of 17.38, a PEG ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 0.41. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $54.32 and a 52 week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $0.5151 per share. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is 59.03%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. BNP Paribas raised shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research 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. BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target 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.