Unilever (NYSE:UL) Cut to "Underperform" at Royal Bank of Canada

Unilever (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) was downgraded by Royal Bank of Canada from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report released on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports.

UL has been the subject of several other reports. StockNews.com downgraded Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Erste Group Bank restated a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL stock traded down $1.04 on Monday, hitting $55.47. The stock had a trading volume of 2,128,941 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,128,847. The stock's 50 day moving average is $58.59 and its 200-day moving average is $60.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.49. Unilever has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 393.5% during the second quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 533 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the period. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Unilever during the third quarter worth about $35,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Unilever by 202.5% in the third quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 605 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in Unilever in the third quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Coastline Trust Co acquired a new position in Unilever in the third quarter valued at approximately $48,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently 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.