Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Stock Crosses Below 50-Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Universal Logistics shares fell below their 50-day moving average, reaching $16.57 before last trading at $17.35, compared with a 50-day average of $17.98.
• Analyst sentiment is mixed but leans negative: ratings include two Holds and one Sell, producing an average “Reduce” rating and a $15.00 average price target.
• The company modestly beat quarterly EPS expectations at $0.16 versus $0.13, while revenue came in slightly below estimates; it also maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per share, yielding about 2.4% annually.

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report)'s share price passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $17.98 and traded as low as $16.57. Universal Logistics shares last traded at $17.35, with a volume of 58,758 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Universal Logistics from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Logistics from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Logistics has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $15.00.

Universal Logistics Stock Up 4.3%

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 stock's 50-day moving average price is $17.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $457.52 million, a PE ratio of -9.43 and a beta of 0.74.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The transportation company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.03. Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 3.16% and a positive return on equity of 1.99%. The company had revenue of $379.32 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $380.40 million. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.50 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Logistics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st were paid a dividend of $0.1050 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Universal Logistics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -22.83%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Logistics

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