Sanctuary Advisors LLC Has $6.58 Million Stock Holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 7.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 112,789 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 8,279 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $6,576,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Unilever in the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Three 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 given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of UL traded up $0.66 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $56.20. 1,773,656 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,694,860. The stock's fifty day moving average is $56.85 and its 200 day moving average is $60.13. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $46.46 and a 1-year high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th.

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.