Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the ten analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $66.33.

UL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. 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. Finally, DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st.

Unilever Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $58.74 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $145.75 billion, a PE ratio of 16.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $56.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.72. Unilever has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued 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 3.18%. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is presently 53.01%.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

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

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.