Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Down 44.7% in July

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,084,384 shares, a drop of 44.7% from the June 30th total of 1,960,873 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,827,998 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Unilever during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Unilever in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bard Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Unilever in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UL has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Zacks Research raised shares of Unilever from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Unilever from a “sell (d)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $65.55.

Unilever Trading Down 2.7%

Shares of NYSE UL traded down $1.74 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $63.53. 5,942,744 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,281,247. Unilever has a twelve month low of $54.75 and a twelve month high of $74.97. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $59.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $62.33.

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.