Unilever (NYSE:UL) Cut to Hold at BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Unilever (NYSE:UL) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. BNP Paribas Exane cut shares of Unilever from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $71.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research downgraded Unilever from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group reissued a “sell” rating on shares of Unilever in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $67.37.

Unilever Trading Up 1.4%

NYSE UL opened at $64.23 on Thursday. Unilever has a 12 month low of $61.11 and a 12 month high of $73.87. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $66.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $67.93.

Institutional Trading of Unilever

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in Unilever by 133.8% in the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 33,122 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,166,000 after acquiring an additional 18,955 shares in the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp boosted its stake in shares of Unilever by 145.1% during the 4th quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 4,345 shares of the company’s stock worth $284,000 after acquiring an additional 2,572 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co. raised its position in shares of Unilever by 32.8% during the fourth quarter. Diversified Trust Co. now owns 10,715 shares of the company’s stock worth $701,000 after purchasing an additional 2,646 shares during the period. Fulton Bank N.A. raised its position in shares of Unilever by 204.3% during the fourth quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 23,806 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,557,000 after purchasing an additional 15,982 shares during the period. Finally, Traveka Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Traveka Wealth LLC now owns 5,203 shares of the company’s stock valued at $340,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Company 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.