Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $66.33.

Several research firms have issued reports on UL. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $59.60 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $147.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $57.74 and a 200 day moving average of $59.13. Unilever has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th were paid a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.