Unilever (NYSE:UL) Sets New 52-Week Low – Should You Sell?

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)’s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $61.65 and last traded at $61.5520, with a volume of 1777946 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $62.35.

Trending Headlines about Unilever

Here are the key news stories impacting Unilever this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Potential value unlock — a spin‑off or sale of Unilever’s foods arm would leave a more focused beauty & personal‑care Unilever and could create shareholder value if assets are re‑rated. Unilever in Talks to Separate Food Business and Combine It With McCormick
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic fit for foods — McCormick’s dealmaking track record (e.g., Frank’s, Cholula) suggests the combined foods business could be positioned for growth under a specialist owner. From Frank’s to Cholula, McCormick’s decade of deals sets stage for bold Unilever move
• Neutral Sentiment: Unilever confirms talks but stresses no agreement yet — active discussions and an inbound offer are underway, so timing and terms remain uncertain. Unilever confirms talks with McCormick over sale of foods business
• Neutral Sentiment: Process still fluid — reports say the deal could be structured as an all‑stock combination and could move quickly, but market reaction will hinge on swap terms and governance. Unilever in talks to combine food business with McCormick, WSJ reports
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and integration risks — combining sizeable food brands with a smaller acquirer raises operational, regulatory and cultural risks that could pressure the stock if uncertainties persist. Quotes: Analysts and experts react to Unilever’s potential food business sale to McCormick
• Negative Sentiment: Near‑term investor concern — foods is a meaningful revenue component and earlier reporting of a possible spin‑off coincided with share weakness; recent quarterly results also showed notable EPS and revenue misses, which amplify sensitivity to strategic disruption. Explainer: How important is food to Unilever?

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on UL shares. DZ Bank cut Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $65.55.

Unilever Trading Up 0.0%

The business’s 50-day moving average price is $68.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.86.

Unilever (NYSE:UL) last announced 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 firm had revenue of $11.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.39 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Unilever PLC will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.5547 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Unilever by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company’s stock worth $599,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 35,007 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,085,000 after buying an additional 1,587 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 85.0% in the 2nd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 7,770 shares of the company’s stock worth $475,000 after buying an additional 3,569 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the second quarter worth $297,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Unilever by 83.8% in the second quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 114,746 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,019,000 after acquiring an additional 52,322 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Unilever

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.