Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Shares Sold by American Century Companies Inc.

American Century Companies Inc. lowered its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 16.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,129,635 shares of the company’s stock after selling 607,420 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc. owned 0.13% of Unilever worth $172,099,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UL. Red Tortoise LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter valued at $28,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Unilever by 423.8% during the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 529 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 428 shares during the period. Finally, YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter valued at $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE:UL opened at $64.89 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $61.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.07. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $46.16 and a twelve month high of $65.86.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.4773 dividend. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on UL. Bank of America upgraded shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the company from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, June 7th. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a “buy” rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price 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.