Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by Headinvest LLC

Headinvest LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 1.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 91,895 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,123 shares during the period. Headinvest LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $5,210,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UL. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC grew its position in shares of Unilever by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC now owns 82,116 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,656,000 after purchasing an additional 2,292 shares during the last quarter. Novem Group acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at $397,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC increased its position in Unilever by 45.7% during the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 7,478 shares of the company’s stock worth $424,000 after purchasing an additional 2,346 shares in the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its stake in Unilever by 33.2% in the 4th quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 1,333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares during the last quarter. Finally, White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,410 shares of the company’s stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 3,205 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. UBS Group raised shares of Unilever from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $69.50.

Unilever Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of Unilever stock opened at $63.50 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $61.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $58.91. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $53.50 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87. The firm has a market cap of $156.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.44.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th will be given a dividend of $0.5151 per share. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 16th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is currently 59.03%.

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.