Keating Investment Counselors Inc. Sells 2,005 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Keating Investment Counselors Inc. reduced its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 1.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 107,603 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,005 shares during the quarter. Unilever makes up approximately 1.9% of Keating Investment Counselors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Keating Investment Counselors Inc.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $5,917,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Unilever by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,193 shares of the company’s stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Unilever by 17.3% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 1,186 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Bailard Inc. grew its position in shares of Unilever by 1.2% during the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 15,014 shares of the company’s stock valued at $826,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in shares of Unilever by 3.6% during the second quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 5,772 shares of the company’s stock valued at $318,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Webster Bank N. A. grew its position in shares of Unilever by 54.3% during the second quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 617 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $65.25 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $46.16 and a 52 week high of $65.72. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $60.25 and a 200 day moving average of $54.70.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a $0.4773 dividend. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.91 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.93%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on UL. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. UBS Group upgraded Unilever to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $67.00 price target for the company. Finally, Redburn Atlantic upgraded Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $61.75.

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.