Analysts Set Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Target Price at $73.00

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $73.00.

UL has been the subject of several research reports. Zacks Research downgraded Unilever from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. CICC Research initiated coverage on Unilever in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Sunday, August 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Brentview Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 209.0% in the 1st quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 618 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 418 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new position in Unilever in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $62.36 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $61.58 and a 200-day moving average of $61.72. The company has a market capitalization of $153.01 billion, a PE ratio of 17.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.74 and a beta of 0.40. Unilever has a 52-week low of $54.32 and a 52-week high of $65.66.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 12th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th were given a $0.5175 dividend. This represents a $2.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 15th. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Unilever’s payout ratio is 59.31%.

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.