Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Acquired by Brandes Investment Partners LP

Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 94.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 381,324 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 185,114 shares during the period. Brandes Investment Partners LP's holdings in Unilever were worth $18,487,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in Unilever by 111.5% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 552 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the period. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in Unilever by 215.1% during the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 586 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Evolution Advisers Inc. purchased a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, First United Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $40,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE:UL traded up $0.14 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $54.27. 2,336,621 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,886,639. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $46.16 and a 1 year high of $54.86. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $50.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $49.15.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 17th will be issued a $0.4556 dividend. This represents a $1.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 16th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on UL. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Unilever from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut shares of Unilever from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $52.00 to $48.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $54.00.

Unilever 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.