Franklin Resources Inc. Purchases 10,268 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 3.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 346,321 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 10,268 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in Unilever were worth $22,427,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of Unilever by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 110,528 shares of the company's stock worth $7,180,000 after buying an additional 15,941 shares in the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in Unilever during the third quarter worth approximately $11,694,000. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in Unilever by 249.5% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,748,329 shares of the company's stock worth $98,204,000 after purchasing an additional 1,248,136 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Unilever by 236.2% during the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 30,520 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,997,000 after purchasing an additional 21,441 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,388,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

UL stock traded down $0.39 on Friday, reaching $57.16. 7,528,319 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,588,742. The firm has a market capitalization of $141.79 billion, a PE ratio of 17.22, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.48. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $59.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.22. Unilever PLC has a 12 month low of $46.46 and a 12 month high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a $0.4755 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This is a boost from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.33%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is presently 56.63%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on UL shares. Erste Group Bank reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.