Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Holdings Boosted by Sanctuary Advisors LLC

Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 7.9% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 112,789 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,279 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $6,576,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 2.7% during the third quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 34,523 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,242,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,011 shares of the company’s stock valued at $390,000 after buying an additional 261 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of Unilever by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 40,351 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,621,000 after acquiring an additional 1,535 shares in the last quarter. Eastern Bank acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the third quarter worth $2,785,000. Finally, Greenleaf Trust raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 5.3% during the third quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 16,117 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,047,000 after acquiring an additional 804 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada cut Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $61.75.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL opened at $55.65 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $56.91 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.16. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th.

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.