Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Acquired by Focus Partners Wealth

Focus Partners Wealth boosted its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 166.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 120,413 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 75,302 shares during the quarter. Focus Partners Wealth’s holdings in Unilever were worth $6,873,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UL. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Mainstream Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL opened at $60.78 on Wednesday. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $53.50 and a one year high of $65.87. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $60.96 and its 200-day moving average is $58.87. The company has a market capitalization of $149.89 billion, a PE ratio of 17.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.44.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $0.5151 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Unilever’s payout ratio is currently 59.03%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on UL. StockNews.com downgraded Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. DZ Bank raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Finally, UBS Group raised Unilever from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $69.50.

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.