Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) is Saratoga Research & Investment Management's 6th Largest Position

Saratoga Research & Investment Management lowered its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 14.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,226,748 shares of the company's stock after selling 380,826 shares during the quarter. Unilever makes up approximately 6.4% of Saratoga Research & Investment Management's portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Saratoga Research & Investment Management owned approximately 0.09% of Unilever worth $126,257,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UL. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Unilever by 7.3% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 17,940,963 shares of the company's stock worth $1,017,253,000 after buying an additional 1,214,563 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC grew its position in Unilever by 140.1% in the fourth quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 3,719,284 shares of the company's stock valued at $210,883,000 after acquiring an additional 2,170,242 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 66.4% during the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 3,454,686 shares of the company's stock valued at $195,881,000 after purchasing an additional 1,378,517 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth about $176,806,000. Finally, Hamlin Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 7.8% during the 4th quarter. Hamlin Capital Management LLC now owns 2,874,929 shares of the company's stock valued at $163,008,000 after buying an additional 207,549 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $66.33.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL traded up $2.58 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $62.44. The company's stock had a trading volume of 5,482,145 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,546,590. The firm has a market capitalization of $154.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.89, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.42. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $46.46 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $57.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.14.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.4674 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.99%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio is currently 53.01%.

Unilever 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.