Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by Yacktman Asset Management LP

Yacktman Asset Management LP trimmed its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 7.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 250,411 shares of the company's stock after selling 21,552 shares during the period. Yacktman Asset Management LP's holdings in Unilever were worth $14,912,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Unilever Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE:UL traded down $0.16 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $60.75. 1,644,628 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,492,629. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.41, 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. The firm's 50 day moving average is $62.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.77.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.5151 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.39%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.03%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective for the company. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average 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.