Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Stake Increased by River Road Asset Management LLC

River Road Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 10.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 602,653 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 54,642 shares during the quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $34,170,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UL. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Mainstream Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Unilever during the third quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company's stock.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL stock traded up $0.09 on Wednesday, hitting $59.42. The stock had a trading volume of 1,942,771 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,526,769. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $147.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. The company's 50 day moving average price is $56.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $59.77.

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Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. Unilever's payout ratio is currently 53.01%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UL has been the subject of several research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Erste Group Bank reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $66.33.

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.