United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) Reaches New 1-Year High Following Analyst Upgrade

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday after The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on the stock from $25.00 to $28.00. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a neutral rating on the stock. United Natural Foods traded as high as $32.56 and last traded at $33.12, with a volume of 62591 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $31.97.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on UNFI. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price 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. Roth Mkm raised their target price 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, Guggenheim reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of United Natural Foods in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. One investment 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’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Natural Foods presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $26.40.

Institutional Trading of United Natural Foods

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UNFI. Versant Capital Management Inc increased 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 in the last quarter. 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 shares of United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 796.2% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,882 shares of the company’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 1,672 shares in the last quarter. 87.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Natural Foods Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $28.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.18. The business had revenue of $7.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.61 billion. United Natural Foods had a positive return on equity of 1.27% and a negative net margin of 0.30%. The business’s revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.04) earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.76 EPS for the current year.

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.