Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Short Interest Up 55.2% in December

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,010,000 shares, an increase of 55.2% from the November 30th total of 1,940,000 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 2,090,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UL. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Unilever by 393.5% in the second quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 533 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the period. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Unilever during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Unilever by 202.5% in the third quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 605 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever during the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Coastline Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the third quarter worth $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Price Performance

NYSE:UL traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $57.46. 1,809,267 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,574,195. The firm has a market cap of $142.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.31, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $59.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $60.28. Unilever has a 52-week low of $46.46 and a 52-week high of $65.87.

Unilever Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 8th were issued a $0.4755 dividend. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.31%. This is an increase from Unilever’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 8th. Unilever’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Erste Group Bank restated a “hold” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus 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.