PFG Investments LLC Increases Stock Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

PFG Investments LLC grew its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 36.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 10,572 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,844 shares during the period. PFG Investments LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $531,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UL. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in shares of Unilever by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 2,769,807 shares of the company’s stock valued at $139,017,000 after purchasing an additional 114,510 shares during the last quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the first quarter worth approximately $298,000. Retirement Guys Formula LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 32.9% in the 1st quarter. Retirement Guys Formula LLC now owns 12,611 shares of the company’s stock valued at $633,000 after purchasing an additional 3,123 shares in the last quarter. Abundance Wealth Counselors grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 18.4% during the 1st quarter. Abundance Wealth Counselors now owns 18,788 shares of the company’s stock valued at $943,000 after purchasing an additional 2,923 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norden Group LLC raised its position in Unilever by 2,103.6% in the 1st quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 399,124 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,032,000 after purchasing an additional 381,012 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL stock traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $51.50. The stock had a trading volume of 3,343,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,894,842. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $49.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $48.59. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $46.16 and a 52-week high of $55.77.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 7th. Investors of record on Friday, May 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.4556 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 16th. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.54%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Unilever from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and cut their price target for the company from $52.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. StockNews.com cut Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $48.00.

Unilever 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.