Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Stock Moved Up to Strong-Buy by Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Logistics to “strong buy” from “buy,” and Zacks Research also raised its rating to strong buy. However, analyst opinions remain mixed: the consensus rating is “hold,” with a $15 average price target.
• Universal Logistics reported quarterly EPS of $0.69, beating the $0.32 consensus estimate, while revenue of $394.05 million also exceeded expectations of $390 million.
• Shares opened at $27.12, well above the $15 consensus target, and have traded between $11.73 and $33.87 over the past 12 months.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday, Wall Street Zen reports.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on ULH. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Zacks Research upgraded Universal Logistics from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research report on Monday, September 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $15.00.

Universal Logistics Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ULH opened at $27.12 on Friday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $18.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $17.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $715.15 million, a P/E ratio of 33.19 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Universal Logistics has a twelve month low of $11.73 and a twelve month high of $33.87.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.37. Universal Logistics had a return on equity of 4.11% and a net margin of 2.92%. The firm had revenue of $394.05 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $390.00 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Logistics will post 1.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in shares of Universal Logistics during the first quarter worth about $48,000. Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new position in Universal Logistics in the second quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Quantinno Capital Management LP lifted its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 118.9% during the first quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 37,766 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $798,000 after purchasing an additional 20,511 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Universal Logistics by 992.9% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 44,206 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $764,000 after purchasing an additional 40,161 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in Universal Logistics during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,423,000. 25.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Universal Logistics

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc provides transportation and logistics services throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company serves automotive, industrial, retail and other commercial customers with customized supply-chain solutions designed to move freight and support manufacturing and distribution operations.

Its services include contract logistics, dedicated transportation, truckload and intermodal transportation, freight brokerage, drayage, and value-added services.

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