Brokerages Set Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Price Target at $61.75

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) has been given an average rating of “Hold” by the ten brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $61.75.

Several brokerages have issued reports on UL. StockNews.com cut shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Stonegate Investment Group LLC raised its position in Unilever by 155.2% in the fourth quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 8,415 shares of the company’s stock valued at $477,000 after purchasing an additional 5,117 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in 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 in the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at about $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 in the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the third quarter worth about $1,388,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $54.89 on Tuesday. Unilever has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $57.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.30.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.4674 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.41%.

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.