Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by QV Investors Inc.

QV Investors Inc. trimmed its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 25.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 230,904 shares of the company’s stock after selling 79,360 shares during the period. Unilever comprises about 1.3% of QV Investors Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest holding. QV Investors Inc.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $13,092,000 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. Aprio Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Unilever by 18.8% in the fourth quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,775 shares of the company’s stock valued at $498,000 after purchasing an additional 1,388 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC raised its position in Unilever by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Franklin Street Advisors Inc. NC now owns 5,327 shares of the company’s stock valued at $302,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its position in shares of Unilever by 217.0% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 2,729 shares of the company’s stock worth $155,000 after purchasing an additional 1,868 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Unilever by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 110,947 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,291,000 after buying an additional 419 shares during the period. Finally, Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Unilever by 218.9% in the fourth quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,456 shares of the company’s stock valued at $650,000 after buying an additional 7,864 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Price Performance

Shares of UL traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $55.08. 1,008,853 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,040,078. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $136.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.59, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.49. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $58.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.35.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a $0.4755 dividend. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.45%. This is a boost from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. Unilever’s payout ratio is presently 56.63%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on UL shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $61.75.

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.