Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" from Analysts

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Hold" from the ten ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $61.75.

UL has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Bank of America raised Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a "buy" rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Unilever to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL traded up $0.41 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $61.32. The stock had a trading volume of 1,789,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,564,322. Unilever has a 12 month low of $46.46 and a 12 month high of $65.87. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $63.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $58.80.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.4755 per share. This is a positive change from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.10%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UL. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its holdings in Unilever by 423.8% during the 2nd quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 529 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 393.5% during the second quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 533 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the period. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in Unilever during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Unilever in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter worth $28,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Company 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.