American Century Companies Inc. Boosts Stock Position in United Natural Foods, Inc. $UNFI

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. increased its ownership in United Natural Foods by 20.6%, acquiring an additional 415,700 shares to hold a total of approximately 2.43 million shares worth $66.67 million.
• United Natural Foods reported a $0.44 EPS for the last quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations of $0.22 and showing a 7.5% revenue growth year-over-year.
• Analysts have mixed views on United Natural Foods, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and a target price of approximately $28.13, with seven ratings at hold and three at buy.

American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI - Free Report) by 20.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,433,948 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 415,700 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc. owned approximately 4.02% of United Natural Foods worth $66,666,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNFI. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter worth approximately $656,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its holdings in United Natural Foods by 50.4% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 48,374 shares of the company's stock worth $1,321,000 after buying an additional 16,206 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter valued at $462,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its position in United Natural Foods by 796.2% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,882 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 1,672 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC increased its holdings in United Natural Foods by 68.2% in the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 208,529 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,694,000 after buying an additional 84,572 shares in the last quarter. 87.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Natural Foods Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of UNFI stock traded down $0.3250 on Thursday, hitting $26.9650. 713,431 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 865,499. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a twelve month low of $13.18 and a twelve month high of $34.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.63 billion, a PE ratio of -23.45 and a beta of 0.82. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $24.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.41.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, June 10th. The company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $8.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.78 billion. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.21% and a positive return on equity of 3.13%. United Natural Foods's quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.10 earnings per share. United Natural Foods has set its FY 2025 guidance at 0.700-0.900 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.76 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UNFI. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $24.00 target price on United Natural Foods and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 12th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of United Natural Foods from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $25.00 to $26.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of United Natural Foods from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 12th. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of United Natural Foods from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $36.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of United Natural Foods from $32.00 to $25.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Natural Foods has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $28.13.

United Natural Foods 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.