Unilever PLC $UL Shares Acquired by Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 13.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,403,807 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 406,610 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada’s holdings in Unilever were worth $193,915,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Unilever in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Bard Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Unilever during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Unilever

Here are the key news stories impacting Unilever this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Unilever reported underlying sales growth of 5.8% in the second quarter, well above the 4.14% analyst consensus and up from 3.8% in the first quarter. Growth was driven by stronger volumes and pricing, particularly in beauty, personal care and home care, as consumers favored established brands such as Dove. Reuters: Unilever tops second-quarter sales growth estimates as volumes rise
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its full-year outlook after delivering its strongest quarterly volume growth in more than a decade. The guidance increase reinforces expectations that Unilever’s turnaround is gaining traction and was the main catalyst behind the recent share-price rally. Proactive Investors: Unilever posts strongest sales growth in a decade
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s earnings commentary emphasized improving volume trends rather than relying solely on price increases, a potentially favorable sign for market share and sustainable growth. Investors are also assessing the company’s plans and outlook following the quarter’s results. Yahoo Finance: Unilever Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Unilever agreed to protect employment terms for workers in its European and British food business for two years after the planned 2027 completion of its $65 billion merger with McCormick. The agreement may reduce labor-related disruption but could limit near-term restructuring flexibility and delay some merger synergies. Reuters: Unilever agrees two-year worker protection after McCormick merger
• Negative Sentiment: One earnings-data report showed quarterly EPS and revenue below its cited consensus estimates, creating a potential headline concern. However, the broader market reaction has focused on underlying sales, volume growth and upgraded guidance rather than those figures. MarketBeat: Unilever quarterly earnings

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on UL shares. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Unilever from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a report on Friday, May 29th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $65.55.

Unilever Stock Down 1.4%

NYSE:UL opened at $65.91 on Thursday. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $54.75 and a fifty-two week high of $74.97. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $59.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $62.32.

Unilever Company Profile

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.