Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Unilever’s short interest more than doubled to 2.24 million shares as of July 31, up 106.6% from mid-July, though only about 0.1% of shares are sold short and the days-to-cover ratio is 0.4.
• Shares fell 0.9% to $62.12, while the company reported quarterly earnings of $0.92 per share, missing the $1.84 consensus estimate; revenue of $14.62 billion also came in below expectations.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed but averages a “Hold” rating, with a consensus price target of $65.55. Institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 9.67% of Unilever.

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,240,641 shares, a growth of 106.6% from the July 15th total of 1,084,384 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 5,600,546 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 3.9% in the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,036 shares of the company's stock worth $264,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 3.2% during the first quarter. Blake Schutter Theil Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,754 shares of the company's stock valued at $328,000 after buying an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Capital Analysts LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 3,748 shares of the company's stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the period. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 6,191 shares of the company's stock valued at $399,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the period. Finally, Cohen Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Unilever by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,753 shares of the company's stock worth $385,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE:UL traded down $0.56 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $62.12. 2,007,881 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,659,800. The company has a fifty day moving average of $61.28 and a 200 day moving average of $62.20. Unilever has a twelve month low of $54.75 and a twelve month high of $74.97.

Unilever (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.84 by ($0.92). The business had revenue of $14.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Unilever will post 3.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UL shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Unilever from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Jefferies Financial Group restated an "underperform" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, July 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Unilever from a "sell (d)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $65.55.

Unilever Company Profile

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company with roots dating back to the early 20th century, formed from the merger of the British firm Lever Brothers and the Dutch company Margarine Unie. The company develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded products in personal care, home care and foods and refreshments. Unilever's corporate structure and listings reflect its long history in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and it operates at scale across diverse consumer markets worldwide.

Unilever's business is organized around major product categories—Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care and Foods & Refreshment—and includes numerous well-known consumer brands across those categories.

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