Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Acquired by Captrust Financial Advisors

Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 22.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,025,427 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 184,673 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors’ holdings in Unilever were worth $51,466,000 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 made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth approximately $151,263,000. Equity Investment Corp boosted its position in Unilever by 107.1% in the 1st quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 2,910,751 shares of the company’s stock valued at $146,091,000 after buying an additional 1,505,233 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Unilever by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 34,494,131 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,672,275,000 after buying an additional 1,114,417 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Unilever by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 10,843,977 shares of the company’s stock valued at $525,716,000 after buying an additional 965,173 shares during the period. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in Unilever by 121.3% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,352,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,568,000 after buying an additional 741,363 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL traded down $0.09 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $60.83. The stock had a trading volume of 1,826,926 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,788,450. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $46.16 and a 1-year high of $61.07. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $56.10 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $51.98. The company has a market cap of $152.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.38, a PEG ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 0.46.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a $0.4773 dividend. This represents a $1.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.14%. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.55%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on UL shares. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $67.00 price target for the company. Argus raised their price target on shares of Unilever from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $58.33.

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.