Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Reaches New 1-Year High - Here's Why

Key Points

• Universal Logistics shares reached a new 52-week high, trading as high as $30.34 after closing at $28.54.
• The company reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $0.69 per share, exceeding estimates of $0.32, while revenue of $394.05 million also surpassed expectations.
• Despite the stock’s rally, analysts’ consensus rating remains “Reduce”, with an average price target of $15.00; the company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per share.

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday. The company traded as high as $30.34 and last traded at $29.2960, with a volume of 21,431 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.54.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Universal Logistics from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Logistics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 15th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $15.00.

Universal Logistics Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $17.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.44. The company has a market cap of $791.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.75 and a beta of 0.74.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.37. Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 3.16% and a positive return on equity of 1.99%. The business had revenue of $394.05 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $390.00 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.50 EPS for the current year.

Universal Logistics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 1st will be paid a $0.1050 dividend. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 1st. Universal Logistics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.85%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Logistics

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ULH. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new position in Universal Logistics during the second quarter worth $1,423,000. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Logistics in the 2nd quarter valued at $8,082,000. Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new stake in Universal Logistics in the 2nd quarter valued at $75,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Logistics in the 2nd quarter worth $2,770,000. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 118.9% in the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 37,766 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $798,000 after acquiring an additional 20,511 shares during the last quarter. 25.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Logistics Company Profile

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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