GFS Advisors LLC Takes Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

GFS Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 136,782 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,756,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stonegate Investment Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 155.2% during the fourth quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 8,415 shares of the company’s stock valued at $477,000 after buying an additional 5,117 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Unilever by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 110,528 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,180,000 after acquiring an additional 15,941 shares during the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at $11,694,000. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its position in Unilever by 236.2% in the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 30,520 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,997,000 after acquiring an additional 21,441 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the third quarter worth $1,388,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com cut shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. 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. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Unilever has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $61.75.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL stock opened at $57.38 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87. The company’s 50 day moving average is $57.51 and its 200 day moving average is $60.35.

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.