Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) is Wallace Capital Management Inc.’s 9th Largest Position

Wallace Capital Management Inc. lessened its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 3.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 286,379 shares of the company’s stock after selling 10,687 shares during the quarter. Unilever makes up about 2.2% of Wallace Capital Management Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 9th largest position. Wallace Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $16,238,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. DZ Bank raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $69.50.

Unilever Stock Performance

UL opened at $62.47 on Tuesday. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $53.50 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $61.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $154.06 billion, a PE ratio of 17.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.44.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.5151 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.30%. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.03%.

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.