Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Up 74.2% in August

Key Points

• Unilever short interest surged 74.2% in August to 4.15 million shares, representing 0.2% of shares outstanding and a days-to-cover ratio of 1.0.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed but averages to a “Hold” rating, with a consensus price target of $65.55. Ratings include two Strong Buys, two Buys, six Holds and two Sells.
• Unilever shares recently traded at $62.42, while the company’s latest quarterly results fell short of expectations: EPS was $0.59 versus a $1.84 consensus estimate, and revenue came in at $14.62 billion versus $14.80 billion expected.

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 4,148,912 shares, an increase of 74.2% from the August 15th total of 2,381,838 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 4,104,729 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Unilever from a "sell (d)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Zacks Research raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $65.55.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,036 shares of the company's stock valued at $264,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,754 shares of the company's stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Capital Analysts LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 3,748 shares of the company's stock valued at $225,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 6,191 shares of the company's stock worth $399,000 after buying an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cohen Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,753 shares of the company's stock worth $385,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $62.42. 2,307,290 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,163,162. The business's 50-day moving average price is $63.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.94. Unilever has a 12 month low of $54.75 and a 12 month high of $74.97.

Unilever (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.84 by ($1.25). The company had revenue of $14.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Unilever will post 3.53 earnings per share for the current year.

About Unilever

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company that develops, markets and sells products across beauty and wellbeing, personal care, home care and foods. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dove, Vaseline, Axe, TRESemmé, Sunsilk, Hellmann's, Knorr, Cif, Domestos and OMO or Persil, depending on the market.

The company serves consumers in markets around the world, with products distributed through retail stores, e-commerce platforms and other channels. Its offerings include skin and hair care, deodorants, oral care, household cleaning products, dressings, condiments, soups and cooking products.

Unilever was created in 1929 through the combination of Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer, and Lever Brothers, a British soap maker.

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