Franklin Resources Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 3.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 359,032 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 12,711 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in Unilever were worth $20,357,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Mainstream Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL traded up $1.97 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $61.88. 3,906,218 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,614,606. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87. The firm has a market cap of $153.28 billion, a PE ratio of 17.73, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.42. The company's 50 day moving average price is $58.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $58.85.

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Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Unilever's payout ratio is currently 53.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on UL. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $66.33.

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.