Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. Buys New Holdings in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)

Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. purchased a new position in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 35,350 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $595,000. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. owned about 0.06% of United Natural Foods at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in United Natural Foods by 47.7% in the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 31,591 shares of the company's stock worth $531,000 after purchasing an additional 10,199 shares in the last quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI acquired a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods in the third quarter valued at approximately $182,000. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in United Natural Foods during the third quarter worth approximately $157,000. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in United Natural Foods by 5.4% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 194,772 shares of the company's stock worth $3,276,000 after buying an additional 9,916 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in United Natural Foods by 46.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 15,800 shares of the company's stock valued at $266,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. 87.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Natural Foods

In other news, insider Danielle Benedict sold 9,050 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.10, for a total transaction of $200,005.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 88,218 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,949,617.80. This represents a 9.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on UNFI shares. Northcoast Research raised shares of United Natural Foods from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, October 11th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of United Natural Foods from $16.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of United Natural Foods from $14.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of United Natural Foods from $15.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $18.40.

United Natural Foods Trading Up 5.4 %

Shares of UNFI traded up $1.27 during trading on Monday, reaching $24.88. 1,344,551 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 685,162. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $20.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.75. The stock has a market cap of $1.49 billion, a PE ratio of -13.16 and a beta of 0.62. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a twelve month low of $8.58 and a twelve month high of $25.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 1st. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.09. United Natural Foods had a positive return on equity of 0.54% and a negative net margin of 0.36%. The company had revenue of $8.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.94 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($0.25) earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.64 earnings per share for the current year.

United Natural Foods Company Profile

United Natural Foods, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It operates in two segments, Wholesale and Retail. The company offers grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, wellness and personal care items, and bulk and foodservice products.