Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Sees Strong Trading Volume on Analyst Upgrade

Key Points

• Stifel Nicolaus raised its price target on Universal Logistics to $20 (maintaining a hold rating), and the stock traded around $20.77 while the analyst consensus remains a Hold with an average price target of $20.
• Universal Logistics beat quarterly estimates with $0.14 EPS versus a -$0.05 consensus and revenue of $385.4M versus $376.1M, though the company still reported a negative net margin and a negative PE ratio.
• Institutional interest has increased—hedge funds own about 25.5% of the company—and Universal Logistics pays a quarterly dividend of $0.105 (annualized yield ~2.0%).

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday after Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on the stock from $17.00 to $20.00. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a hold rating on the stock. 39,447 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 22% from the previous session's volume of 50,634 shares.The stock last traded at $20.7730 and had previously closed at $20.80.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Universal Logistics from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Logistics from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $20.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Legal & General Group Plc boosted 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 valued at $343,000 after purchasing an additional 6,538 shares during the period. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Logistics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $340,000. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Logistics in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $322,000. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 19.8% in the fourth quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 15,110 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 2,501 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 10.7% in the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 10,557 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $160,000 after purchasing an additional 1,019 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 25.50% of the company's stock.

Universal Logistics Trading Up 0.2%

The company's 50 day moving average price is $17.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market cap of $549.34 million, a PE ratio of -9.65 and a beta of 0.71.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 13th. The transportation company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by $0.19. Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 3.64% and a positive return on equity of 4.13%. The business had revenue of $385.43 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $376.10 million. As a group, analysts forecast that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 2.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 23rd were paid a $0.105 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 23rd. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Universal Logistics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -19.53%.

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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