Unilever PLC (UL) – What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the nineteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have given a hold recommendation, seven have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $68.37.

UL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morningstar downgraded shares of Unilever to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, July 28th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UL. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 674.2% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,794,600 shares of the company’s stock worth $159,208,000 after purchasing an additional 2,433,625 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Unilever during the first quarter valued at about $67,107,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 16.4% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,661,426 shares of the company’s stock valued at $379,501,000 after purchasing an additional 937,346 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 13.6% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,403,807 shares of the company’s stock worth $193,915,000 after purchasing an additional 406,610 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 26.0% during the first quarter. Munich Reinsurance Co Stock Corp in Munich now owns 1,554,524 shares of the company’s stock worth $88,561,000 after purchasing an additional 320,304 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL opened at $66.93 on Thursday. Unilever has a 1-year low of $54.75 and a 1-year high of $74.97. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $63.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $62.64.

About Unilever

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company headquartered in London, England. It develops, markets and sells branded products used in households and personal care, with operations serving consumers across developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company’s portfolio includes beauty and wellbeing products, personal care items, home care products, and foods and refreshments. Its brands include Dove, Vaseline, Axe, TRESemmé, Cif, OMO, Persil, Knorr, Hellmann’s and Ben & Jerry’s, although product offerings vary by market.

Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of British soap maker Lever Brothers and Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie.