Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. Buys 8,949 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 118.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,532 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,949 shares during the quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $938,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Mainstream Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE:UL opened at $59.24 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $56.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $59.83. Unilever PLC has a 1 year low of $46.46 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The company has a market capitalization of $146.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.47.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $0.4674 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Unilever from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Finally, DZ Bank raised Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $66.33.

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.