Arlington Partners LLC Boosts Stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Arlington Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 7.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 74,367 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 5,218 shares during the period. Unilever accounts for approximately 1.6% of Arlington Partners LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Arlington Partners LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $4,217,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UL. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the second quarter valued at $594,000. Brookstone Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the third quarter valued at $226,000. Wedmont Private Capital grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 29.0% during the third quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 5,401 shares of the company's stock valued at $336,000 after buying an additional 1,213 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 4.3% during the third quarter. Fiduciary Financial Group LLC now owns 4,875 shares of the company's stock valued at $307,000 after buying an additional 201 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 47.0% during the third quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 56,402 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,664,000 after buying an additional 18,034 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Trading Down 5.3 %

Shares of UL stock traded down $3.13 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $56.01. 9,924,689 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,640,517. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $57.28 and a 200 day moving average of $60.38. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UL has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Unilever from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unilever has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $61.75.

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.