Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Receives $70.67 Average PT from Analysts

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the nine research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $70.67.

Several research firms have issued reports on UL. UBS Group upgraded Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of Unilever in a research note on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 29th.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL traded down $0.71 during trading on Friday, hitting $60.76. The stock had a trading volume of 2,015,443 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,485,448. The firm has a market capitalization of $149.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.41, a PEG ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.41. Unilever has a twelve month low of $54.32 and a twelve month high of $65.87. The company's 50-day moving average price is $62.42 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.80.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a $0.5151 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.39%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.03%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Unilever by 1.6% in the second quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 19,097 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,168,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Coastwise Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the second quarter valued at approximately $204,000. BTC Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Unilever by 1.8% in the second quarter. BTC Capital Management Inc. now owns 41,591 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,544,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares during the last quarter. Grant Private Wealth Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the second quarter valued at approximately $396,000. Finally, Cardinal Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Unilever by 0.3% in the second quarter. Cardinal Capital Management Inc. now owns 424,549 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,970,000 after purchasing an additional 1,190 shares during the last quarter. 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.