Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Buys 8,564 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 262.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,825 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 8,564 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $671,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Unilever during the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of UL opened at $57.74 on Tuesday. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $143.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.54, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.50. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $56.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $59.90.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $0.4674 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. Unilever’s payout ratio is 53.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UL. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com lowered Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently 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.