Unilever (NYSE:UL) Downgraded by StockNews.com to Hold

StockNews.com lowered shares of Unilever (NYSE:UL) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Wednesday.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $66.33.

Unilever Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of UL opened at $56.61 on Wednesday. Unilever has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $56.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $59.93.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,250 shares of the company’s stock worth $524,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the period. Tyler Stone Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Unilever by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 6,576 shares of the company’s stock worth $373,000 after buying an additional 180 shares during the period. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of Unilever by 7.0% during the third quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,781 shares of the company’s stock worth $181,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Unilever by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 9,956 shares of the company’s stock worth $565,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. Finally, Timber Creek Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 0.5% during the third quarter. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 39,530 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,568,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.