Confluence Investment Management LLC Invests $853,000 in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Confluence Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 13,129 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $853,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in UL. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its position in Unilever by 423.8% during the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 529 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 428 shares during the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 393.5% during the 2nd quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 533 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Unilever by 202.5% in the 3rd quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 605 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL traded down $0.13 on Friday, hitting $59.00. 3,283,741 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,592,673. The company's 50 day moving average price is $63.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.08. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $46.46 and a one year high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th will be issued a $0.4755 dividend. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 8th. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.22%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Bank of America upgraded Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the company from $47.00 to $72.00 in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, October 4th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a "buy" rating and a $67.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised Unilever to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $61.75.

Unilever 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.