United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) Given Consensus Rating of "Hold" by Brokerages

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of "Hold" by the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $27.50.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised United Natural Foods from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on United Natural Foods from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Finally, CL King raised United Natural Foods from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $33.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 12th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Natural Foods

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in United Natural Foods by 66.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 931 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 372 shares during the period. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new stake in United Natural Foods during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in United Natural Foods in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Finally, Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in United Natural Foods by 796.2% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,882 shares of the company's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 1,672 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.63% of the company's stock.

United Natural Foods Price Performance

UNFI stock traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $25.59. 58,109 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 703,025. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $27.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.03. The stock has a market cap of $1.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -16.30 and a beta of 1.08. United Natural Foods has a fifty-two week low of $8.58 and a fifty-two week high of $34.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 1.48.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.96 billion. United Natural Foods had a positive return on equity of 1.27% and a negative net margin of 0.30%. United Natural Foods's revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.07 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that United Natural Foods will post 0.76 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.