Russell Investments Group Ltd. Has $11.23 Million Stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 65.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 231,683 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 91,836 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Unilever were worth $11,232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sage Rhino Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 2.4% in the third quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLC now owns 9,066 shares of the company’s stock valued at $448,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. Marino Stram & Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Marino Stram & Associates LLC now owns 9,963 shares of the company’s stock worth $483,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the period. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc now owns 6,133 shares of the company’s stock worth $297,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the period. Baystate Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 29.9% during the fourth quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 948 shares of the company’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 1.1% during the third quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 19,932 shares of the company’s stock worth $985,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Unilever Stock Performance

Unilever stock opened at $52.13 on Monday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $49.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $48.69. Unilever PLC has a one year low of $46.16 and a one year high of $55.69.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.4556 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 16th. This represents a $1.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on UL. StockNews.com upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley lowered Unilever from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $52.00 to $48.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $48.00.

Unilever Company Profile

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.