Hamlin Capital Management LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in Unilever PLC $UL

Hamlin Capital Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,324,273 shares of the company’s stock after selling 106,139 shares during the period. Unilever comprises 3.6% of Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Unilever were worth $152,007,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UL. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Unilever by 9.3% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 34,665,544 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,054,973,000 after purchasing an additional 2,935,227 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in Unilever by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 22,537,917 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,336,048,000 after purchasing an additional 959,269 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in Unilever by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 5,773,638 shares of the company’s stock worth $342,261,000 after buying an additional 91,049 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Unilever by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,001,060 shares of the company’s stock worth $237,183,000 after buying an additional 133,776 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Unilever by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,293,210 shares of the company’s stock worth $195,221,000 after buying an additional 17,763 shares during the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL stock opened at $61.53 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $68.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.83. Unilever PLC has a 12 month low of $61.25 and a 12 month high of $74.97.

Unilever (NYSE:UL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.75 by ($1.00). The company had revenue of $11.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.39 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Unilever PLC will post 3.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.5547 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on UL shares. Jefferies Financial Group restated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price target on shares of Unilever and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. UBS Group restated a “sell” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Argus raised shares of Unilever to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane set a $71.00 price target on shares of Unilever and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Unilever currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $65.55.

Trending Headlines about Unilever

Here are the key news stories impacting Unilever this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Potential value unlock — a spin‑off or sale of Unilever’s foods arm would leave a more focused beauty & personal‑care Unilever and could create shareholder value if assets are re‑rated. Unilever in Talks to Separate Food Business and Combine It With McCormick
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic fit for foods — McCormick’s dealmaking track record (e.g., Frank’s, Cholula) suggests the combined foods business could be positioned for growth under a specialist owner. From Frank’s to Cholula, McCormick’s decade of deals sets stage for bold Unilever move
• Neutral Sentiment: Unilever confirms talks but stresses no agreement yet — active discussions and an inbound offer are underway, so timing and terms remain uncertain. Unilever confirms talks with McCormick over sale of foods business
• Neutral Sentiment: Process still fluid — reports say the deal could be structured as an all‑stock combination and could move quickly, but market reaction will hinge on swap terms and governance. Unilever in talks to combine food business with McCormick, WSJ reports
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and integration risks — combining sizeable food brands with a smaller acquirer raises operational, regulatory and cultural risks that could pressure the stock if uncertainties persist. Quotes: Analysts and experts react to Unilever’s potential food business sale to McCormick
• Negative Sentiment: Near‑term investor concern — foods is a meaningful revenue component and earlier reporting of a possible spin‑off coincided with share weakness; recent quarterly results also showed notable EPS and revenue misses, which amplify sensitivity to strategic disruption. Explainer: How important is food to Unilever?

About Unilever

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.