Unilever (NYSE:UL) Upgraded at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever (NYSE:UL) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, DZ Bank raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Unilever presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $66.33.

Unilever Stock Performance

NYSE UL opened at $59.24 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $56.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.84. Unilever has a one year low of $46.46 and a one year high of $65.87. The company has a market cap of $146.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UL. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.