Synovus Financial Corp Increases Stock Position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Synovus Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 16.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 23,703 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,349 shares during the quarter. Synovus Financial Corp’s holdings in Unilever were worth $1,540,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Unilever by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 110,528 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,180,000 after buying an additional 15,941 shares during the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Unilever during the third quarter worth approximately $11,694,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in shares of Unilever by 249.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,748,329 shares of the company’s stock valued at $98,204,000 after acquiring an additional 1,248,136 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC raised its position in Unilever by 236.2% in the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 30,520 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,997,000 after purchasing an additional 21,441 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Radnor Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Unilever in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,388,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of UL opened at $58.87 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $146.03 billion, a PE ratio of 17.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.48. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $60.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.19. Unilever PLC has a twelve month low of $46.46 and a twelve month high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.4755 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 8th. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.23%. Unilever’s payout ratio is 56.63%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Bank of America raised Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price objective for the company from $47.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $61.75.

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.