United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) Stock Price Expected to Rise, UBS Group Analyst Says

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI - Free Report) had its price objective increased by UBS Group from $26.00 to $29.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded United Natural Foods from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and upped their target price for the company from $25.00 to $26.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $24.00 price objective on United Natural Foods and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Wall Street Zen upgraded United Natural Foods from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Northcoast Research lowered United Natural Foods from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on United Natural Foods from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $27.00.

United Natural Foods Stock Up 4.2%

Shares of UNFI stock traded up $1.10 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $27.36. 1,899,895 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 800,119. United Natural Foods has a 1 year low of $12.00 and a 1 year high of $34.76. The stock has a market cap of $1.66 billion, a PE ratio of -23.79 and a beta of 0.82. 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 stock's fifty day moving average price is $25.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.13.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 10th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $7.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.10 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that United Natural Foods will post 0.76 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in United Natural Foods by 1,672.7% in the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 975 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 920 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new position in United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in United Natural Foods by 88.3% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,077 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in United Natural Foods in the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. 87.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.