Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Brokerages

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of "Hold" by the ten research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $61.75.

UL has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com downgraded Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th.

Unilever Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of Unilever stock traded up $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $55.68. 3,801,253 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,363,032. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $57.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.27. Unilever has a one year low of $46.46 and a one year high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.4755 dividend. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.42%. This is an increase from Unilever's previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Unilever by 393.5% in the 2nd 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. purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 202.5% during the 3rd quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 605 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Coastline Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter worth 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.