Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Stock Passes Above Fifty Day Moving Average - What's Next?

Key Points

• Universal Logistics shares rose 9.2%, trading as high as $20.07 and moving above their 50-day average of $15.74, while the 200-day average stood at $17.07.
• Analysts remain bearish: the stock carries an average “Sell” rating and a $15.00 average price target, including recent downgrades from Stifel Nicolaus and Zacks Research.
• The company exceeded quarterly earnings expectations with EPS of $0.16 versus $0.13 expected, though revenue was slightly below forecasts. Universal also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.105 per share, implying a 2.1% annual yield.

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) shares crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $15.74 and traded as high as $20.07. Universal Logistics shares last traded at $20.07, with a volume of 40,977 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ULH has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Zacks Research downgraded Universal Logistics from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Sell" and an average target price of $15.00.

Universal Logistics Trading Up 9.2%

The firm has a market cap of $529.25 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.91 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm's fifty day moving average is $15.74 and its 200-day moving average is $17.07.

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 for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.03. Universal Logistics had a positive return on equity of 2.01% and a negative net margin of 3.16%.The firm had revenue of $379.32 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $380.40 million. Equities analysts anticipate that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.105 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Universal Logistics's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -22.83%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Logistics

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 102.3% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,428 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 722 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 403.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,130 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 1,707 shares during the period. Archer Investment Corp bought a new position in Universal Logistics during the first quarter worth $48,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its stake in Universal Logistics by 104.4% during the fourth quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 2,765 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,412 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new stake in Universal Logistics in the second quarter worth $75,000. 25.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal Logistics Company Profile

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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