Unilever (NYSE:UL) Shares Gap Up on Analyst Upgrade

Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday after Zacks Research upgraded the stock from a strong sell rating to a hold rating. The stock had previously closed at $61.37, but opened at $66.64. Unilever shares last traded at $66.4540, with a volume of 1,380,459 shares trading hands.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings downgraded Unilever from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a research note on Friday, May 29th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of Unilever in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Unilever from an “underperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. DZ Bank upgraded Unilever from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company 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: Unilever reported underlying sales growth of 5.8% in the second quarter, well above the 4.14% analyst consensus and up from 3.8% in the first quarter. Growth was driven by stronger volumes and pricing, particularly in beauty, personal care and home care, as consumers favored established brands such as Dove. Reuters: Unilever tops second-quarter sales growth estimates as volumes rise
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its full-year outlook after delivering its strongest quarterly volume growth in more than a decade. The guidance increase reinforces expectations that Unilever’s turnaround is gaining traction and was the main catalyst behind the recent share-price rally. Proactive Investors: Unilever posts strongest sales growth in a decade
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s earnings commentary emphasized improving volume trends rather than relying solely on price increases, a potentially favorable sign for market share and sustainable growth. Investors are also assessing the company’s plans and outlook following the quarter’s results. Yahoo Finance: Unilever Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Unilever agreed to protect employment terms for workers in its European and British food business for two years after the planned 2027 completion of its $65 billion merger with McCormick. The agreement may reduce labor-related disruption but could limit near-term restructuring flexibility and delay some merger synergies. Reuters: Unilever agrees two-year worker protection after McCormick merger
• Negative Sentiment: One earnings-data report showed quarterly EPS and revenue below its cited consensus estimates, creating a potential headline concern. However, the broader market reaction has focused on underlying sales, volume growth and upgraded guidance rather than those figures. MarketBeat: Unilever quarterly earnings

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Unilever

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in shares of Unilever by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,572 shares of the company’s stock worth $599,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Unilever by 4.7% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 35,007 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,085,000 after acquiring an additional 1,587 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its position in shares of Unilever by 39.7% in the second quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 15,848 shares of the company’s stock valued at $969,000 after acquiring an additional 4,501 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its holdings in Unilever by 70.5% during the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 378,313 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,141,000 after acquiring an additional 156,404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its holdings in Unilever by 17.4% during the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 427,577 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,155,000 after acquiring an additional 63,376 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 9.67% of the company’s stock.

Unilever Trading Down 1.4%

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $59.68 and a 200 day moving average of $62.32.

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.