Unilever PLC $UL Shares Sold by Clearbridge Investments LLC

Clearbridge Investments LLC cut its holdings in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 18.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,523,856 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,213,823 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $361,260,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Capital International Investors acquired a new stake in Unilever during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $13,961,000. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Unilever by 443.0% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 695 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 567 shares during the last quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in Unilever by 40.3% during the fourth quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 9,527 shares of the company’s stock valued at $623,000 after purchasing an additional 2,737 shares during the last quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. lifted its stake in Unilever by 11.6% during the fourth quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. now owns 33,196 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 3,443 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in shares of Unilever in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $220,000. 9.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UL has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $65.55.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UL opened at $56.66 on Friday. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $54.75 and a 52 week high of $74.97. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $57.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $63.68.

Unilever Profile

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.