Stifel Nicolaus Has Lowered Expectations for Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Stock Price

Key Points

• Stifel Nicolaus cut its price target to $17 (from $20) and maintains a "hold" rating on Universal Logistics; MarketBeat's consensus rating is also "Hold" with an average price target of $17.00.
• Shares fell about 16% to $13.55 after the company reported an EPS loss of ($0.13) versus a $0.09 estimate and slightly missed revenue, leaving a negative net margin and a negative P/E (-5.41).
• Universal Logistics is an asset-light third-party logistics provider with a market cap of roughly $357 million, a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, and institutional ownership around 25.5% as several funds modestly increased stakes recently.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) had its price target cut by investment analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $20.00 to $17.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a "hold" rating on the transportation company's stock. Stifel Nicolaus' price target would indicate a potential upside of 25.51% from the company's previous close.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on ULH. Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a report on Friday, March 27th. Zacks Research raised Universal Logistics from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Logistics from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Logistics has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $17.00.

Universal Logistics Stock Down 16.0%

NASDAQ:ULH traded down $2.59 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $13.55. The company's stock had a trading volume of 104,477 shares, compared to its average volume of 57,259. The company has a market cap of $356.91 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.41 and a beta of 0.79. Universal Logistics has a one year low of $12.78 and a one year high of $30.76. The business's 50-day moving average is $19.64 and its 200-day moving average is $17.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The transportation company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.22). Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 4.29% and a positive return on equity of 2.61%. The company had revenue of $367.58 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $372.30 million. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Logistics will post 1.06 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Logistics

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Logistics in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $789,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 5.0% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 108,268 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,841,000 after buying an additional 5,136 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 4.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 193,413 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $4,910,000 after acquiring an additional 8,039 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 93.7% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 13,514 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $343,000 after acquiring an additional 6,538 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in Universal Logistics by 44.2% during the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 129,253 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $3,280,000 after acquiring an additional 39,633 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.50% of the company's stock.

About Universal Logistics

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc is a diversified, asset-light third-party logistics provider offering transportation and supply chain solutions across North America and around the globe. Its service portfolio encompasses truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, and specialized freight services, supported by dedicated brokerage, warehousing, and distribution management capabilities.

Originally incorporated as Universal Truckload Services, Inc, the company has evolved beyond its core truckload heritage to a one-stop logistics platform.

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