Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Update

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) was the target of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,780,000 shares, an increase of 29.0% from the January 31st total of 1,380,000 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,580,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL traded up $0.28 on Tuesday, reaching $57.99. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 3,161,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,528,856. The stock has a market capitalization of $143.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.62, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $56.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.87. Unilever has a 12-month low of $46.46 and a 12-month high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. Unilever’s payout ratio is 53.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Erste Group Bank restated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, 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. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $66.33.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UL. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Company 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.