UMB Bank n.a. Lowers Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

UMB Bank n.a. trimmed its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 40.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,018 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,929 shares during the quarter. UMB Bank n.a.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $568,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Unilever by 5.9% in the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 251,012 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,796,000 after buying an additional 13,927 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in Unilever by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 13,538 shares of the company’s stock valued at $744,000 after acquiring an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp increased its stake in Unilever by 13.6% during the second quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 5,055 shares of the company’s stock worth $278,000 after purchasing an additional 606 shares during the period. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 3,661.0% during the second quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 13,201 shares of the company’s stock worth $726,000 after purchasing an additional 12,850 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in Unilever by 26.1% during the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 31,777 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,747,000 after buying an additional 6,586 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of UL stock opened at $56.95 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $57.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.36. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a dividend of $0.4755 per share. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.34%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Erste Group Bank reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com lowered Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $61.75.

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.