United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) shares shot up 6.6% during trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $26.32 and last traded at $26.19. 203,130 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 69% from the average session volume of 647,407 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.57.
The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.04. The business 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.07 earnings per share.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of United Natural Foods from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. CL King raised United Natural Foods from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $33.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective 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, Guggenheim reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of United Natural Foods in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $27.50.
Get Our Latest Research Report on United Natural Foods
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings 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. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its holdings in United Natural Foods by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 15,529 shares of the company's stock valued at $424,000 after buying an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in United Natural Foods by 46.0% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,027 shares of the company's stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 639 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 36.4% during the fourth quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,066 shares of the company's stock worth $84,000 after buying an additional 819 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 31,951 shares of the company's stock valued at $873,000 after acquiring an additional 834 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.63% of the company's stock.
United Natural Foods Price Performance
The firm has a market cap of $1.60 billion, a P/E ratio of -17.03 and a beta of 0.56. The stock's 50-day moving average is $29.63 and its 200-day moving average is $24.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.
About United Natural Foods
(
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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.
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