Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Acquired by HighTower Advisors LLC

HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Free Report) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 425,390 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 17,614 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC's holdings in Unilever were worth $24,120,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Mainstream Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE UL traded up $0.20 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $58.91. 1,890,564 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,517,949. The company has a market cap of $146.19 billion, a PE ratio of 16.88, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $57.09 and a 200-day moving average price of $59.58. Unilever PLC has a 12 month low of $46.46 and a 12 month high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.4674 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.17%. Unilever's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.01%.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Erste Group Bank reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a "sector perform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $66.33.

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.