Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH) Short Interest Up 3,131.6% in July

Key Points

• Short interest in Universal Logistics surged by 3,131.6% in July, bringing the total to 316,700 shares, which amounts to 4.8% of the company's stock.
• The company missed earnings estimates for the quarter, reporting an EPS of $0.32 compared to the consensus estimate of $0.34.
• Universal Logistics declared a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per share, with an annualized yield of 1.8%, to be paid on October 1st.

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 316,700 shares, anincreaseof3,131.6% from the June 30th total of 9,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 53,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.9 days. Approximately4.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately4.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 53,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.9 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on ULH. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Logistics from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Universal Logistics from $37.00 to $29.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th.

Institutional Trading of Universal Logistics

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ULH. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Universal Logistics in the 1st quarter valued at $315,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 108,268 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,841,000 after buying an additional 5,136 shares during the period. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 217,277 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $5,701,000 after buying an additional 2,956 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Logistics in the 1st quarter valued at $789,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 248,737 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $6,527,000 after buying an additional 17,120 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.50% of the company's stock.

Universal Logistics Price Performance

Shares of Universal Logistics stock traded up $0.56 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $23.71. The company had a trading volume of 4,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 56,173. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The company has a market capitalization of $624.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.15 and a beta of 1.00. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.90. Universal Logistics has a 1-year low of $20.60 and a 1-year high of $53.29.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The transportation company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $393.79 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $398.50 million. Universal Logistics had a net margin of 3.66% and a return on equity of 9.52%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Logistics will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.105 per share. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. Universal Logistics's payout ratio is currently 18.03%.

Universal Logistics Company Profile

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc provides transportation and logistics solutions in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. The company offers truckload services, which include dry van, flatbed, heavy-haul, and refrigerated operations; domestic and international freight forwarding, and customs brokerage services.