Aviance Capital Partners LLC Invests $1.91 Million in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Aviance Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 37,960 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,905,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UL. Breakwater Capital Group raised its stake in Unilever by 7.6% in the first quarter. Breakwater Capital Group now owns 7,065 shares of the company’s stock valued at $355,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Optas LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 8.8% during the first quarter. Optas LLC now owns 5,389 shares of the company’s stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 438 shares in the last quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 5.3% during the first quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC now owns 10,720 shares of the company’s stock worth $538,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the first quarter worth about $337,000. Finally, Saratoga Research & Investment Management grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 19.0% during the first quarter. Saratoga Research & Investment Management now owns 2,744,882 shares of the company’s stock worth $137,766,000 after buying an additional 437,621 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of Unilever stock traded up $0.47 during trading on Monday, hitting $55.46. 535,971 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,758,076. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $46.16 and a fifty-two week high of $56.47. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $54.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $50.69.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 7th. Investors of record on Friday, May 17th were given a dividend of $0.4556 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 16th. This represents a $1.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Argus raised their price target on Unilever from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Redburn Atlantic raised Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, June 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $54.00.

Unilever Profile

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.