Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has given a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $66.33.

UL has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of Unilever stock opened at $59.07 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $146.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.92, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. Unilever has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $56.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $59.76.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $0.4674 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.17%. Unilever’s payout ratio is 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.