Unilever (NYSE:UL) Sees Large Volume Increase – Should You Buy?

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 5,391,321 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 48% from the previous session’s volume of 3,641,436 shares.The stock last traded at $61.6210 and had previously closed at $61.51.

More Unilever News

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?

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UL has been the topic of several recent research reports. DZ Bank lowered Unilever from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Argus upgraded shares of Unilever to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. UBS Group reissued a “sell” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $60.10 price target on shares of Unilever and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $65.55.

Unilever Trading Up 0.0%

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $68.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.83.

Unilever (NYSE:UL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by ($1.00). The firm had revenue of $11.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.39 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Unilever PLC will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Unilever Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid 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 3.6%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Unilever

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in Unilever by 5.4% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company’s stock valued at $599,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Unilever by 4.7% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 35,007 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,085,000 after purchasing an additional 1,587 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Unilever during the 2nd quarter worth about $297,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. raised its position in shares of Unilever by 209.3% during the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 52,691 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,238,000 after purchasing an additional 35,654 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new position in Unilever in the 2nd quarter valued at about $803,000. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.