XML Financial LLC Trims Position in Unilever PLC $UL

XML Financial LLC trimmed its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 23.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 89,544 shares of the company’s stock after selling 27,732 shares during the period. XML Financial LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $5,856,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Unilever during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC raised its holdings in Unilever by 108.8% during the third quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new position in Unilever during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Unilever during the third quarter worth about $29,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on UL shares. Kepler Capital Markets cut shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Argus raised shares of Unilever to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of Unilever from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a report on Friday, May 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $65.55.

Unilever Trading Up 2.9%

UL stock opened at $56.66 on Friday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $57.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $63.68. Unilever PLC has a 12 month low of $54.75 and a 12 month high of $74.97.

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.