Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. Lowers Stock Position in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)

Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI - Free Report) by 20.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 228,679 shares of the company's stock after selling 59,589 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned about 0.38% of United Natural Foods worth $3,846,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $595,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its position in United Natural Foods by 86.6% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 264,176 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,461,000 after purchasing an additional 122,626 shares in the last quarter. Aristeia Capital L.L.C. bought a new stake in United Natural Foods during the second quarter worth $661,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH acquired a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods in the 3rd quarter valued at $354,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of United Natural Foods in the 3rd quarter valued at $548,000. Institutional investors own 87.63% of the company's stock.

United Natural Foods Price Performance

Shares of United Natural Foods stock traded down $0.21 during trading on Friday, reaching $24.07. 472,021 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 609,040. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a 1-year low of $8.58 and a 1-year high of $25.48. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $21.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $16.56. 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 posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 1st. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.09. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.36% and a positive return on equity of 0.54%. The business had revenue of $8.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.25) EPS. United Natural Foods's 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 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Natural Foods

In other United Natural Foods news, insider Danielle Benedict sold 15,152 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.78, for a total transaction of $299,706.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 100,423 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,986,366.94. This represents a 13.11 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.