Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Purchased by Argent Trust Co

Argent Trust Co grew its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 34.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 45,387 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 11,555 shares during the period. Argent Trust Co’s holdings in Unilever were worth $2,573,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Mainstream Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $66.33.

Unilever Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $59.95 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.42. Unilever PLC has a 12-month low of $46.46 and a 12-month high of $65.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $58.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $58.88.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Unilever’s payout ratio is currently 53.01%.

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.