Governance Changes at Ben & Jerry's: Ben & Jerry's has removed three members from its independent board as part of new governance practices, including a nine-year tenure limit for board members, following its spinoff from Unilever.
Power Struggle and Criticism: Co-founder Ben Cohen criticized the governance changes as a "blatant power grab" by Magnum Ice Cream, which he claims undermines the brand's social mission established after its acquisition by Unilever.
Co-Founder Departure: The governance shake-up coincides with the departure of co-founder Jerry Greenfield, who left under pressure from Unilever to remain silent about his personal values, leaving Cohen feeling devastated.
Market Performance and Dividend Delay: Magnum's IPO has faced challenges, including a delay in dividend payments until at least 2027, but some analysts remain optimistic about the company's future performance, as its stock has seen a modest increase since its debut.
Wall Street analysts forecast UL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UL is 68.37 USD with a low forecast of 60.10 USD and a high forecast of 74.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast UL stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UL is 68.37 USD with a low forecast of 60.10 USD and a high forecast of 74.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 65.530
Low
60.10
Averages
68.37
High
74.00
Current: 65.530
Low
60.10
Averages
68.37
High
74.00
UBS
Neutral
downgrade
$96 -> $85
2026-01-20
New
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$96 -> $85
AI Analysis
2026-01-20
New
downgrade
Neutral
Reason
UBS lowered the firm's price target on UL Solutions to $85 from $96 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm expects UL Solutions to post a solid Q4 with in-line growth and above-consensus margins, resulting in upside to Street EBITDA, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The Street is appropriately factoring in the tougher comps to last year's tariff pull-forward impact, the firm adds.
BNP Paribas
Outperform -> Neutral
downgrade
$71
2026-01-08
Reason
BNP Paribas
Price Target
$71
2026-01-08
downgrade
Outperform -> Neutral
Reason
BNP Paribas downgraded Unilever to Neutral from Outperform with a $71 price target. The firm believes valuations in the staples group are likely to stay "cheap."
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Jefferies
Underperform
maintain
2026-01-06
Reason
Jefferies
Price Target
2026-01-06
maintain
Underperform
Reason
Jefferies raised the firm's price target on Unilever to 4,100 GBp from 4,000 GBp and keeps an Underperform rating on the shares. The firm continues tot see downside risk to the valuation, with earnings growth contained by pricing/operating margin pressures. Q4 results on February 12 should see volume/mix near 2%, but noise on FY26 operating margin dynamics and risk of U.S. growth contribution slowing threatens sentiment in 1H26, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
Baird
Neutral -> Outperform
upgrade
$97
2025-12-17
Reason
Baird
Price Target
$97
2025-12-17
upgrade
Neutral -> Outperform
Reason
Baird upgraded UL Solutions to Outperform from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $97. The firm cites the stock's recent underperformance and the company's accelerating underlying earnings growth for the upgrade. UL's business has good recurring revenue, "excellent" secular exposure to growth markets, and a leading competitive position, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Baird recommends using the recent share weakness as an opportunity to build an overweight position "as a long-term core holding."
About UL
Unilever PLC is a United Kingdom-based global consumer goods business. The Company's segments include Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care and Foods. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment primarily sells hair care (shampoo, conditioner, styling), skin care (face, hand and body moisturizers) and includes Prestige Beauty and Wellbeing. The Personal Care segment primarily sells skin cleansing (soap, shower), deodorant and oral care (toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash) products. The Home Care segment primarily sells fabric care (washing powders and liquids, rinse conditioners) and a range of home and hygiene cleaning products. The Foods segment primarily sells cooking aids and mini-meals (soups, bouillons, seasonings), condiments (mayonnaise, ketchup) and Unilever Food Solutions. The Company's beauty & wellbeing brands include CLEAR, Dermalogica, Liquid I.V., Dove and TRESemme. The Company's home care brands include Cif, Comfort, Domestos, OMO, Radiant, Sunlight and Surf.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
