Virtu Financial LLC Cuts Stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Virtu Financial LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 10.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,155 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,626 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $803,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Mainstream Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $66.33.

Unilever Price Performance

UL opened at $58.16 on Tuesday. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $57.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $59.40. The stock has a market cap of $144.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $0.4674 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.21%. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is presently 53.01%.

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.