Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Up 16.9% in May

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,700,000 shares, an increase of 16.9% from the April 30th total of 2,310,000 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,730,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $63.03. 1,661,225 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,493,984. The company has a market cap of $154.91 billion, a PE ratio of 18.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.43. Unilever has a 52 week low of $54.32 and a 52 week high of $65.87. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $62.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.32.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.5151 per share. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.03%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on UL. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $73.00 price target for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $70.67.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in shares of Unilever by 13.9% in the first 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 during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 7.3% in the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 17,940,963 shares of the company's stock worth $1,017,253,000 after purchasing an additional 1,214,563 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Unilever by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 7,906,824 shares of the company's stock worth $448,317,000 after purchasing an additional 257,538 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Unilever by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,103,075 shares of the company's stock worth $289,345,000 after purchasing an additional 250,053 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Unilever by 2.5% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,925,891 shares of the company's stock worth $233,787,000 after purchasing an additional 95,359 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

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.