United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) Receives Average Rating of “Hold” from Analysts

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) has been given an average recommendation of “Hold” by the six analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $18.40.

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on United Natural Foods from $14.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. UBS Group raised their target price on United Natural Foods from $16.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Northcoast Research raised shares of United Natural Foods from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of United Natural Foods from $15.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, October 7th.

United Natural Foods Price Performance

UNFI opened at $20.33 on Friday. United Natural Foods has a 1 year low of $8.58 and a 1 year high of $23.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The company has a market capitalization of $1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.44 and a beta of 0.63. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $17.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.19.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 1st. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.09. The business had revenue of $8.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.94 billion. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.36% and a positive return on equity of 0.54%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($0.25) earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that United Natural Foods will post 0.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Natural Foods

In related news, insider Danielle Benedict sold 15,152 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.78, for a total value 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 trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Natural Foods

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new stake in United Natural Foods during the first quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in United Natural Foods by 317.2% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,634 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 2,763 shares during the last quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in United Natural Foods during the first quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 661.8% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,314 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 2,879 shares in the last quarter. 87.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.