Keating Investment Counselors Inc. Cuts Stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Keating Investment Counselors Inc. cut its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 1.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 107,603 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,005 shares during the quarter. Unilever comprises approximately 1.9% of Keating Investment Counselors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Keating Investment Counselors Inc.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $5,917,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 4.1% during the second quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,193 shares of the company’s stock valued at $231,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 17.3% during the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 1,186 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Bailard Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 1.2% during the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 15,014 shares of the company’s stock valued at $826,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 3.6% during the second quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 5,772 shares of the company’s stock valued at $318,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Webster Bank N. A. grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 54.3% during the second quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 617 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UL shares. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 3rd. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a “buy” rating and a $67.00 target price for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Unilever currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $61.75.

Unilever Price Performance

UL stock opened at $65.25 on Friday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $60.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.70. Unilever PLC has a 52-week low of $46.16 and a 52-week high of $65.72.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.4773 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.93%.

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.