Unilever (NYSE:UL) Stock Rating Lowered by BNP Paribas

Unilever (NYSE:UL) was downgraded by investment analysts at BNP Paribas from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on UL. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research cut shares of Unilever from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price objective on Unilever and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, December 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $67.37.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UL opened at $63.34 on Thursday. Unilever has a one year low of $61.11 and a one year high of $73.87. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $66.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $67.99.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC increased its holdings in Unilever by 108.8% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates bought a new position in Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in Unilever in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC boosted its stake in Unilever by 141.3% in the third quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 514 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

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.