Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Receives $66.33 Consensus PT from Analysts

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $66.33.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on UL shares. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL stock traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $59.24. The stock had a trading volume of 2,380,209 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,522,238. Unilever has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $59.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $146.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47.

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Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.01%.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UL. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth approximately $176,806,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $153,606,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its stake in Unilever by 140.1% in the fourth quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 3,719,284 shares of the company's stock valued at $210,883,000 after acquiring an additional 2,170,242 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its stake in Unilever by 981.6% in the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 2,076,169 shares of the company's stock valued at $134,868,000 after acquiring an additional 1,884,216 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Unilever by 7.3% in 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 acquiring an additional 1,214,563 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Company Profile

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.