Brokerages Set Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) PT at $71.11

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twelve ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $71.1125.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Unilever from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price objective on Unilever and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group reiterated a “sell” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, November 5th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UL. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Unilever by 9.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 34,665,544 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,054,973,000 after purchasing an additional 2,935,227 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Unilever by 4.4% during the third quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 22,537,917 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,336,048,000 after buying an additional 959,269 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in shares of Unilever by 1.6% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 5,773,638 shares of the company’s stock worth $342,261,000 after buying an additional 91,049 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Unilever by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,001,060 shares of the company’s stock worth $237,183,000 after acquiring an additional 133,776 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Unilever by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,293,210 shares of the company’s stock valued at $195,221,000 after acquiring an additional 17,763 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL opened at $65.03 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $66.73 and its 200 day moving average is $68.13. Unilever has a fifty-two week low of $61.11 and a fifty-two week high of $73.87.

About Unilever

Unilever PLC is a global consumer goods company with roots dating back to the early 20th century, formed from the merger of the British firm Lever Brothers and the Dutch company Margarine Unie. The company develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded products in personal care, home care and foods and refreshments. Unilever’s corporate structure and listings reflect its long history in both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and it operates at scale across diverse consumer markets worldwide.

Unilever’s business is organized around major product categories—Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care and Foods & Refreshment—and includes numerous well-known consumer brands across those categories.