ProVise Management Group LLC Increases Stake in Unilever PLC $UL

ProVise Management Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 205,028 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 9,962 shares during the period. ProVise Management Group LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $12,154,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UL. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC grew its stake in Unilever by 141.3% during the third quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 514 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in shares of Unilever by 548.5% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 668 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 565 shares in the last quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 46.3% in the third quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. now owns 692 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 79.1% in the second quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 736 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of Unilever stock opened at $66.81 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $68.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.27. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $61.78 and a one year high of $74.97.

Unilever (NYSE:UL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by ($1.00). The company had revenue of $11.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.39 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Unilever PLC will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.5547 dividend. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price target on Unilever and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. DZ Bank lowered shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets cut shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $65.55.

Unilever 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.