Unilever (NYSE:UL) Rating Lowered to "Hold" at Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research downgraded Unilever's rating from "strong-buy" to "hold," indicating a more cautious outlook on the company's stock.
• A variety of analysts have differing views on Unilever, with ratings ranging from "underperform" to "buy," reflecting a mixed sentiment in the market.
• Unilever's stock trades at approximately $63.18, with a market capitalization of $155.03 billion, and shows a 12-month trading range between $54.32 and $65.66.

Unilever (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) was downgraded by Zacks Research from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group restated an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Sunday, August 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, CICC Research started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $73.00.

Unilever Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $63.18 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $61.51 and a 200-day moving average of $61.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $155.03 billion, a PE ratio of 18.10, a PEG ratio of 4.67 and a beta of 0.40. Unilever has a 12 month low of $54.32 and a 12 month high of $65.66.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 33.2% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 934,804 shares of the company's stock worth $55,668,000 after buying an additional 232,945 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Unilever by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 28,100,442 shares of the company's stock worth $1,673,381,000 after purchasing an additional 3,421,054 shares in the last quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 69.7% during the 1st quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock valued at $850,000 after purchasing an additional 5,867 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Unilever by 65.1% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 232,096 shares of the company's stock worth $13,821,000 after purchasing an additional 91,511 shares during the period. Finally, Banco Santander S.A. raised its stake in Unilever by 70.6% during the 1st quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 15,030 shares of the company's stock worth $895,000 after acquiring an additional 6,220 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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