Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by Welch & Forbes LLC

Welch & Forbes LLC lowered its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 2.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,794 shares of the company’s stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. Welch & Forbes LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $1,105,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UL. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 111.5% in the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 552 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 291 shares during the period. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in Unilever by 215.1% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 586 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Advisers Inc. acquired a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Planned Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the 4th quarter valued at about $44,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of UL traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $52.73. 950,808 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,892,376. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $46.16 and a 1-year high of $55.08. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $49.30 and its 200 day moving average is $48.75.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.4556 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 16th. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.46%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UL has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Unilever from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $52.00 to $48.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Unilever currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $48.00.

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.