Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Purchased by Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC

Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 113.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,067 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 11,220 shares during the quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $1,194,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Mainstream Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UL has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, DZ Bank raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $66.33.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL stock opened at $59.24 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $56.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $146.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $46.46 and a one year high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

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

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.