Levin Capital Strategies L.P. Buys 10,554 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Levin Capital Strategies L.P. lifted its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 4.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 252,083 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,554 shares during the period. Unilever accounts for about 1.4% of Levin Capital Strategies L.P.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Levin Capital Strategies L.P.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $14,293,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its holdings in Unilever by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 2,781 shares of the company’s stock valued at $181,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Timber Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 39,530 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,568,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. grew its holdings in Unilever by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 5,646 shares of the company’s stock valued at $320,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Alhambra Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Alhambra Investment Management LLC now owns 4,586 shares of the company’s stock valued at $260,000 after buying an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Phillips Wealth Planners LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC now owns 8,970 shares of the company’s stock valued at $495,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Price Performance

Unilever stock opened at $56.61 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $140.48 billion, a PE ratio of 16.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.50. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $46.46 and a one year high of $65.87. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $56.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.93.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.4674 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. Unilever’s payout ratio is 53.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. DZ Bank raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. StockNews.com lowered Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $66.33.

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.