Manning & Napier Advisors LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Manning & Napier Advisors LLC cut its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 3.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 186,842 shares of the company's stock after selling 6,776 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $10,594,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UL. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Unilever in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Unilever by 202.5% in the 3rd quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 605 shares of the company's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the 3rd quarter worth $40,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Coastline Trust Co bought a new stake in Unilever in the third quarter valued at about $48,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UL has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com cut shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL stock traded up $1.13 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $58.40. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,594,354 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,530,444. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $57.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $60.37. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87.

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.