Unilever (NYSE:UL) Cut to Underperform at Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Unilever (NYSE:UL) from a sector perform rating to an underperform rating in a report published on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

Several other analysts also recently commented on UL. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Performance

Unilever stock opened at $56.12 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $139.06 billion, a PE ratio of 16.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.49. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $58.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.33. Unilever has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.4755 dividend. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.39%. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is currently 56.63%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. First Hawaiian Bank increased its position in shares of Unilever by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 9,108 shares of the company’s stock worth $516,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Range Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 216.2% during the 4th quarter. Range Financial Group LLC now owns 10,215 shares of the company’s stock worth $579,000 after purchasing an additional 6,984 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co increased its position in shares of Unilever by 11.4% during the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 6,359 shares of the company’s stock worth $361,000 after purchasing an additional 653 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in shares of Unilever by 721.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 994 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 873 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Unilever by 104.2% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 292,225 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,983,000 after purchasing an additional 149,111 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

About Unilever

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.