QV Investors Inc. Sells 28,460 Shares of Unilever PLC $UL

QV Investors Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 13.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 183,454 shares of the company’s stock after selling 28,460 shares during the quarter. Unilever makes up 1.1% of QV Investors Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. QV Investors Inc.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $11,222,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gallacher Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC now owns 8,700 shares of the company’s stock worth $532,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 16,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $967,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 21,492 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,280,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 35,729 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,128,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ascent Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 8,457 shares of the company’s stock worth $517,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of UL opened at $62.64 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a 12 month low of $54.32 and a 12 month high of $65.66. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $61.62 and its 200-day moving average is $61.81.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.5258 per share. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Friday. Zacks Research cut shares of Unilever from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. CICC Research assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Sunday, August 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $73.00.

Unilever 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.