Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Position Boosted by United Community Bank

United Community Bank increased its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 6.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,730 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the quarter. United Community Bank’s holdings in Unilever were worth $211,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UL. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Unilever by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Pinion Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,250 shares of the company’s stock worth $524,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the period. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 39,530 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,568,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. grew its position in Unilever by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 5,646 shares of the company’s stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Alhambra Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Unilever by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Alhambra Investment Management LLC now owns 4,586 shares of the company’s stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. Finally, Phillips Wealth Planners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC now owns 8,970 shares of the company’s stock valued at $495,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Trading Up 1.7 %

UL stock opened at $59.24 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $146.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.97, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $56.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.83.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.4674 per share. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is 53.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. StockNews.com raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $66.33.

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.