Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Update

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,380,000 shares, a decrease of 54.0% from the January 15th total of 3,000,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,400,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company's stock are short sold.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE:UL traded down $1.08 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $54.89. 2,502,253 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,340,608. Unilever has a one year low of $46.46 and a one year high of $65.87. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $57.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $60.29.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.4674 per share. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $61.75.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UL. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Unilever in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.