Brokerages Set Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) PT at $61.75

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) has been given an average recommendation of “Hold” by the eight research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $61.75.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com downgraded Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Unilever by 16.9% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 110,528 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,180,000 after acquiring an additional 15,941 shares during the period. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever during the 3rd quarter worth $11,694,000. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in Unilever by 249.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,748,329 shares of the company’s stock worth $98,204,000 after buying an additional 1,248,136 shares in the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Unilever by 236.2% in the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 30,520 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,997,000 after buying an additional 21,441 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the third quarter valued at about $1,388,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE:UL opened at $57.19 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $141.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.48. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $59.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.31. Unilever has a 1-year low of $46.46 and a 1-year high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.4755 dividend. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. Unilever’s payout ratio is currently 56.63%.

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.