Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Shares Gap Down Following Weak Earnings

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report)'s share price gapped down prior to trading on Friday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $42.95, but opened at $41.32. Universal Logistics shares last traded at $39.49, with a volume of 5,421 shares trading hands.

The transportation company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.93 by ($0.16). Universal Logistics had a return on equity of 21.37% and a net margin of 7.04%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.81 EPS.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.105 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.46%. Universal Logistics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Logistics

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in Universal Logistics in the 4th quarter valued at $64,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Logistics during the third quarter valued at about $143,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Logistics during the fourth quarter worth about $293,000. PDT Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Logistics in the 3rd quarter worth about $301,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in Universal Logistics in the 3rd quarter valued at about $358,000. 25.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Logistics Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The company's 50-day moving average is $45.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $44.24. The firm has a market cap of $757.04 million, a P/E ratio of 5.82 and a beta of 0.90.

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.