Hamlin Capital Management LLC Grows Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Hamlin Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 7.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,874,929 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 207,549 shares during the quarter. Unilever makes up approximately 4.0% of Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $163,008,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 393.5% in the second quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 533 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the third quarter worth approximately $35,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Unilever by 202.5% in the third quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 605 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Coastline Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the third quarter worth approximately $48,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of UL stock opened at $55.68 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $57.62 and a 200 day moving average of $60.36. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $46.46 and a 52 week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were given a dividend of $0.4755 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.42%. This is a positive change from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on UL shares. Erste Group Bank restated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com cut shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $61.75.

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.