Virtu Financial LLC Sells 631 Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Virtu Financial LLC reduced its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 3.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 17,246 shares of the company’s stock after selling 631 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $866,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Marino Stram & Associates LLC increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Marino Stram & Associates LLC now owns 9,963 shares of the company’s stock worth $483,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Avidian Wealth Solutions LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Avidian Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 21,616 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,048,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 29.9% during the 4th quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 948 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Unilever by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,708 shares of the company’s stock valued at $180,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cardinal Capital Management grew its holdings in Unilever by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 34,265 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,661,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Unilever Trading Up 1.5 %

NYSE:UL opened at $62.53 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a 1-year low of $46.16 and a 1-year high of $62.65. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $56.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $52.29.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.4773 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $1.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.05%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on UL. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Unilever from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, June 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Unilever from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Unilever from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Unilever to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $58.33.

About Unilever

Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through five segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment engages in the sale of hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and styling; skin care products including face, hand, and body moisturizer; and prestige beauty and health & wellbeing products consist of the vitamins, minerals, and supplements.