Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Decreases Holdings in Unilever PLC $UL

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC trimmed its position in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) by 8.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,578,743 shares of the company’s stock after selling 148,276 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Unilever worth $102,697,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UL. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 2,935,227 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew 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 worth $1,336,048,000 after purchasing an additional 959,269 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in Unilever by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 5,773,638 shares of the company’s stock worth $342,261,000 after purchasing an additional 91,049 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Unilever by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,001,060 shares of the company’s stock valued at $237,183,000 after purchasing an additional 133,776 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in Unilever by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,293,210 shares of the company’s stock valued at $195,221,000 after purchasing an additional 17,763 shares in the last quarter. 9.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unilever Stock Performance

Shares of UL opened at $56.97 on Wednesday. Unilever PLC has a 52 week low of $55.65 and a 52 week high of $74.97. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $67.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $67.22.

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

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.5547 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $2.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.9%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. DZ Bank downgraded Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Argus upgraded shares of Unilever to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price target on shares of Unilever and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Unilever from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, February 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Unilever currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $65.55.

Unilever News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Unilever this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Activist/institutional support: Artisan Partners publicly backed Unilever’s plan to sell/merge its Foods unit, which reduces shareholder opposition risk and increases the likelihood the board’s strategy will proceed. Exclusive: Investor Artisan Partners backs Unilever’s plan to sell food unit
• Positive Sentiment: Immediate cash to Unilever and strategic refocus: The deal includes an upfront cash component (~$15.7B reported) plus McCormick equity, which would give Unilever liquidity and allow management to concentrate on higher-margin personal care and home-care brands. That repositioning could unlock long-term value for UL shareholders. Unilever and McCormick agree to food business deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Deal structure and size remain mixed signals: reports describe a cash-and-stock combination valuing the combined business at $60–65B, with most consideration in McCormick equity — that leaves uncertainty about exact cash flows to UL holders and future ownership stakes. Unilever and McCormick Reach Deal Creating a $65 Billion Food Giant—Here’s What Investors Need to Know
• Neutral Sentiment: McCormick market action and valuation dynamics: McCormick shares have been volatile and seen as “deep-value” by some analysts after the deal news — movements in MKC will directly affect the equity component Unilever shareholders receive. McCormick & Company Falls to Value Levels Income Investors Love
• Negative Sentiment: Execution, dilution and regulatory risk: The size and cross-border nature of the transaction raise integration and antitrust risks, and analysts warn share dilution/valuation mismatch could pressure UL’s near-term share price. Unilever confirms $44.8B acquisition of McCormick
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term operational headwinds: Unilever announced a three-month global hiring pause citing challenges from the Middle East conflict, signaling cost and growth headwinds that could weigh on sentiment independently of the deal. Unilever enforces global hiring pause due to ‘significant challenges’ amid Middle East conflict

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.