151,767 Shares in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Purchased by ABC Arbitrage SA

ABC Arbitrage SA acquired a new stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 151,767 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,605,000. Unilever accounts for about 1.2% of ABC Arbitrage SA's holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Unilever by 7.1% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 16,726,400 shares of the company's stock worth $1,086,547,000 after acquiring an additional 1,114,177 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC increased its position in Unilever by 66.4% during the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 3,454,686 shares of the company's stock valued at $195,881,000 after purchasing an additional 1,378,517 shares during the period. Hamlin Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Unilever by 7.8% during the 4th quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC now owns 2,874,929 shares of the company's stock worth $163,008,000 after purchasing an additional 207,549 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,812,164 shares of the company's stock worth $118,588,000 after purchasing an additional 63,835 shares during the period. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 18.2% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,240,653 shares of the company's stock valued at $70,132,000 after purchasing an additional 190,753 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of UL traded up $0.73 on Wednesday, reaching $55.65. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,613,197 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,723,884. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $56.97 and a 200-day moving average of $60.19.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on UL. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $61.75.

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.