Unilever (NYSE:UL) Shares Gap Down - Here's Why

Key Points

• Unilever shares gapped down pre-market, opening at $55.88 versus the prior close of $59.48 and last trading around $55.17 on roughly 912,216 shares.
• Analyst sentiment is mixed but the consensus is a Moderate Buy with a $73.00 average target, reflecting ratings that span from Strong Buy to Sell.
• The stock is trading below its 50‑day ($60.40) and 200‑day ($61.32) simple moving averages, and institutional ownership is relatively low at about 9.67%.

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $59.48, but opened at $55.88. Unilever shares last traded at $55.1730, with a volume of 912,216 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, December 1st. CICC Research assumed coverage on Unilever in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. Zacks Research cut Unilever from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Unilever presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $73.00.

Unilever Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $60.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.32.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC raised its stake in shares of Unilever by 108.8% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 476 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 141.3% in the 3rd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 514 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 301 shares during the period. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the third quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the third quarter worth about $31,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Unilever

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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