Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH) Short Interest Update

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 260,900 shares, an increase of 30.6% from the March 15th total of 199,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 60,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.3 days. Currently, 3.9% of the company's shares are sold short.

Universal Logistics Trading Down 1.7 %

ULH stock traded down $0.45 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $26.51. 26,730 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 49,469. Universal Logistics has a fifty-two week low of $22.86 and a fifty-two week high of $53.29. The company has a market capitalization of $697.58 million, a P/E ratio of 5.36 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $26.70 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.70.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The transportation company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.93 by ($0.16). Universal Logistics had a net margin of 7.04% and a return on equity of 21.37%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.81 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Logistics will post 2.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Logistics Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.105 per share. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Logistics's payout ratio is 8.50%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Logistics

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 10,353 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $476,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its holdings in Universal Logistics by 15.6% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,831 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $176,000 after acquiring an additional 516 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 6.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 13,090 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $601,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 31.0% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 3,708 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $170,000 after purchasing an additional 877 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 0.6% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 147,251 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $6,363,000 after purchasing an additional 911 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.50% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Universal Logistics from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd.

About Universal Logistics

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc provides transportation and logistics solutions in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. The company offers truckload services, which include dry van, flatbed, heavy-haul, and refrigerated operations; domestic and international freight forwarding, and customs brokerage services.