Optimist Retirement Group LLC Boosts Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Optimist Retirement Group LLC lifted its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 6.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 38,125 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,427 shares during the quarter. Unilever comprises about 1.1% of Optimist Retirement Group LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Optimist Retirement Group LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $2,096,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Red Tortoise LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter worth $28,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. raised its position in Unilever by 423.8% in the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 529 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Finally, YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on UL shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 3rd. UBS Group raised shares of Unilever to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America raised shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, Redburn Atlantic raised Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, June 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $61.75.

Unilever Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE:UL opened at $64.39 on Thursday. Unilever PLC has a 12-month low of $46.16 and a 12-month high of $65.86. The firm has a market cap of $160.48 billion, a PE ratio of 18.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $61.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.54.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.4773 dividend. This represents a $1.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.10%.

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.