Saratoga Research & Investment Management Sells 380,826 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Saratoga Research & Investment Management decreased its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 14.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,226,748 shares of the company’s stock after selling 380,826 shares during the quarter. Unilever comprises 6.4% of Saratoga Research & Investment Management’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. Saratoga Research & Investment Management owned 0.09% of Unilever worth $126,257,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Unilever by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 149,114 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,455,000 after acquiring an additional 7,856 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 140.1% during the fourth quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 3,719,284 shares of the company’s stock worth $210,883,000 after purchasing an additional 2,170,242 shares during the period. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $92,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in Unilever by 22.7% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 73,077 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,103,000 after buying an additional 13,508 shares during the period. Finally, Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new position in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth $1,768,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE UL opened at $59.18 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $57.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.21. The company has a market capitalization of $146.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.96, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $46.46 and a 1-year high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were 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 was Friday, February 28th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Royal Bank of Canada cut Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. DZ Bank raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $66.33.

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.