Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,780,000 shares, a growth of 29.0% from the January 31st total of 1,380,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,580,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UL. Financial Advocates Investment Management increased its holdings in Unilever by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 4,264 shares of the company's stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its position in shares of Unilever by 9.0% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 130,757 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,494,000 after purchasing an additional 10,759 shares during the last quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of Unilever by 7.0% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,781 shares of the company's stock valued at $181,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its position in shares of Unilever by 234.8% during the 3rd quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 242,094 shares of the company's stock valued at $15,726,000 after purchasing an additional 169,793 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Opes Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at about $211,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE UL traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $59.24. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,380,209 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,527,166. Unilever has a 12 month low of $46.46 and a 12 month high of $65.87. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $56.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.84. The company has a market cap of $146.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $0.4674 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.16%. Unilever's payout ratio is 53.01%.

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.