Virtu Financial LLC Sells 631 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Virtu Financial LLC trimmed its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 3.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,246 shares of the company’s stock after selling 631 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $866,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allen Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,415,000. Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,131,000. Diversify Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter worth approximately $863,000. Levin Capital Strategies L.P. lifted its stake in Unilever by 35.7% in the fourth quarter. Levin Capital Strategies L.P. now owns 428,269 shares of the company’s stock valued at $20,762,000 after purchasing an additional 112,677 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Unilever by 6.6% in the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,452,545 shares of the company’s stock valued at $70,419,000 after purchasing an additional 90,245 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on UL. Argus upped their price objective on Unilever from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. TD Cowen began coverage on Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, June 7th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $58.33.

Unilever Stock Up 1.5 %

Unilever stock opened at $62.53 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $46.16 and a fifty-two week high of $62.65. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $56.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.29.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.05%. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46.

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.