Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $61.75.

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a report on Thursday, August 22nd.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UL. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Unilever by 393.5% during the second quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 533 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the period. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the second quarter worth $30,000. Webster Bank N. A. boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 54.3% in the second quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 617 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Trading Up 1.1 %

Unilever stock opened at $59.75 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $61.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.73. Unilever has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be given a dividend of $0.4755 per share. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35.

Unilever Company 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.