Ascent Group LLC Takes Position in Unilever PLC $UL

Ascent Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 8,270 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $492,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UL. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Unilever in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Brentview Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever in the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Unilever by 209.0% in the first quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 618 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the period. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Unilever in the first quarter valued at approximately $63,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL opened at $62.81 on Thursday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $61.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $61.29. The firm has a market cap of $154.10 billion, a PE ratio of 18.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.90 and a beta of 0.40. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $54.32 and a twelve month high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a $0.5175 dividend. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, May 29th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $73.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Sunday, August 3rd. CICC Research assumed coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Unilever to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus 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.