Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Acquired by Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC

Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 207,453 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 10,408 shares during the quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $13,476,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UL. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,193 shares of the company's stock worth $231,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 6,653 shares of the company's stock worth $366,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 17.3% in the 2nd quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 1,186 shares of the company's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Bailard Inc. boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 15,014 shares of the company's stock worth $826,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,781 shares of the company's stock worth $181,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL traded down $0.51 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $59.04. 1,757,800 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,216,024. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $60.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.03. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.4755 dividend. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on UL shares. StockNews.com cut Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Bank of America raised Unilever from an "underperform" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $61.75.

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.