Unilever (NYSE:UL) Upgraded at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever (NYSE:UL - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report published on Tuesday.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on UL. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:UL traded up $0.60 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $56.14. 2,742,748 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,727,069. Unilever has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $56.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $60.09.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $176,806,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $153,606,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 140.1% during the fourth quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 3,719,284 shares of the company's stock valued at $210,883,000 after buying an additional 2,170,242 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 981.6% during the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 2,076,169 shares of the company's stock valued at $134,868,000 after buying an additional 1,884,216 shares during the period. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 7.3% during the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 17,940,963 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,017,253,000 after buying an additional 1,214,563 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.