Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Down 18.8% in October

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,030,000 shares, a decrease of 18.8% from the September 30th total of 2,500,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,430,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on UL shares. Bank of America upgraded shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $47.00 to $72.00 in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 4th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Unilever in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a “buy” rating and a $67.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Unilever to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $61.75.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter valued at about $337,000. Diversified Trust Co grew its stake in Unilever by 23.3% in the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 5,754 shares of the company’s stock worth $289,000 after purchasing an additional 1,086 shares during the period. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 50.2% in the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 5,120 shares of the company’s stock worth $257,000 after acquiring an additional 1,711 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 27.2% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 969,267 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,648,000 after purchasing an additional 207,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Buffington Mohr McNeal boosted its holdings in Unilever by 1.3% in the first quarter. Buffington Mohr McNeal now owns 27,215 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,366,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Price Performance

Unilever stock traded down $0.69 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $61.60. The stock had a trading volume of 1,542,466 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,610,553. Unilever has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $63.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.49.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th will be given a $0.4755 dividend. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 8th.

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.