Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by River Road Asset Management LLC

River Road Asset Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 17.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 777,743 shares of the company's stock after selling 161,738 shares during the period. River Road Asset Management LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $37,705,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Quilter Plc acquired a new stake in Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $244,998,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of Unilever by 111.5% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 552 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the period. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 215.1% during the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 586 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL stock traded up $0.22 on Wednesday, reaching $46.69. 4,907,108 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,750,858. The business's 50 day moving average price is $49.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $48.56. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $46.16 and a twelve month high of $55.99.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.4582 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.83 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.93%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered Unilever from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $52.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. StockNews.com raised Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $48.00.

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.