United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) Hits New 12-Month High – What’s Next?

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $32.56 and last traded at $33.12, with a volume of 62591 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $31.97.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on UNFI shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Guggenheim reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of United Natural Foods in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Roth Mkm increased 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 increased their price objective on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, United Natural Foods has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $25.20.

United Natural Foods Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $28.22 and a 200-day moving average of $21.70. The firm has a market cap of $2.02 billion, a P/E ratio of -21.41 and a beta of 0.62. 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 posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by $0.18. United Natural Foods had a positive return on equity of 1.27% and a negative net margin of 0.30%. The business had revenue of $7.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.04) earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Natural Foods

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 66.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 931 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 372 shares during the period. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised 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 valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 639 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in United Natural Foods by 186.7% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,391 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 1,557 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.63% of the company’s stock.

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.