358,478 Shares in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Acquired by Canoe Financial LP

Canoe Financial LP purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 358,478 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $23,488,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Unilever by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 11,324 shares of the company's stock valued at $736,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the period. Pullen Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 30,951 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,011,000 after acquiring an additional 576 shares in the last quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 7.9% during the 3rd quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC now owns 2,667,380 shares of the company's stock valued at $173,273,000 after acquiring an additional 194,165 shares during the last quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at about $292,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Unilever by 16.9% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 110,528 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,180,000 after purchasing an additional 15,941 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UL has been the subject of several research reports. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $67.00 target price for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, October 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Up 1.5 %

Unilever stock traded up $0.92 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $62.61. 1,681,504 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,617,324. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $63.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.38.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th will be given a dividend of $0.4755 per share. 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 yield of 3.04%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 8th.

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.