Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC Invests $1.01 Million in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)

Key Points

• Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC acquired 36,744 shares of United Natural Foods, valued at approximately $1,006,000, during the first quarter, increasing its ownership to about 0.06% of the company.
• United Natural Foods reported earnings of $0.44 per share, surpassing analysts' expectations, with a revenue increase of 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year, totaling $8.06 billion.
• Analysts have differing views on United Natural Foods, with UBS raising the price target to $29 while BMO and Goldman Sachs lowered theirs, leading to an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $28.13.

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 36,744 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,006,000. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC owned 0.06% of United Natural Foods as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new stake in United Natural Foods during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Natural Foods during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 796.2% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,882 shares of the company's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 1,672 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 135.6% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,667 shares of the company's stock worth $73,000 after buying an additional 1,535 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV bought a new position in shares of United Natural Foods during the 1st quarter worth approximately $78,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.63% of the company's stock.

United Natural Foods Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of UNFI traded up $0.54 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $28.20. The stock had a trading volume of 335,394 shares, compared to its average volume of 884,515. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a 12 month low of $12.00 and a 12 month high of $34.76. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $25.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The company has a market capitalization of $1.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -24.55 and a beta of 0.82.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 10th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.22. United Natural Foods had a positive return on equity of 3.13% and a negative net margin of 0.21%. The business had revenue of $8.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.78 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.10 EPS. The business's revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on UNFI. Wall Street Zen upgraded United Natural Foods from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded United Natural Foods from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $25.00 to $26.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on United Natural Foods from $32.00 to $25.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on United Natural Foods from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 12th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on United Natural Foods from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $28.13.

About United Natural Foods

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.