United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) have received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $27.50.

Several research firms have commented on UNFI. 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 report on Wednesday, March 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on United Natural Foods from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Guggenheim reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of United Natural Foods in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Roth Mkm raised their price objective on United Natural Foods from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th.

United Natural Foods Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNFI opened at $27.08 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.64 billion, a PE ratio of -17.25 and a beta of 0.56. United Natural Foods has a 52 week low of $8.58 and a 52 week high of $34.76. The company’s fifty day moving average is $29.34 and its 200 day moving average is $24.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.04. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.30% and a positive return on equity of 1.27%. The business had revenue of $8.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.07 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that United Natural Foods will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Natural Foods

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 198.8% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 31,914 shares of the company’s stock worth $872,000 after buying an additional 21,234 shares during the last quarter. PharVision Advisers LLC bought a new stake in United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter worth approximately $288,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in United Natural Foods by 18.4% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 188,642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,152,000 after purchasing an additional 29,357 shares during the period. Voloridge Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $471,000. Finally, Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter worth approximately $524,000. Institutional investors own 87.63% of the company’s stock.

About United Natural Foods

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.