Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the nine research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $70.67.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. BNP Paribas raised Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Wall Street Zen cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. UBS Group upgraded Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on Unilever in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price objective for the company.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Brentview Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in Unilever by 209.0% during the 1st quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 618 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 418 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UL opened at $61.44 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $150.80 billion, a PE ratio of 17.60, a P/E/G ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $59.80. Unilever has a fifty-two week low of $54.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a $0.5151 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Unilever's payout ratio is currently 59.03%.

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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