Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Stock Price Up 6.8% Following Dividend Announcement

Key Points

• Universal Logistics Holdings announced a dividend of $0.105 per share, leading to a 6.8% increase in their stock price, which last traded at $29.26.
• The company's dividend yield stands at 1.42% with a dividend payout ratio (DPR) of 13.21%.
• Recent adjustments by analysts include a downgrade of Universal Logistics's target price by Stifel Nicolaus from $37.00 to $29.00, maintaining a "hold" rating.
• Universal Logistics reported a net margin of 4.81% for the last quarter but missed earnings expectations with $0.32 EPS against a consensus estimate of $0.34.

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) shares were up 6.8% during trading on Friday after the company announced a dividend. The stock traded as high as $28.51 and last traded at $29.26. Approximately 7,082 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 56,558 shares. The stock had previously closed at $27.39.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Investors 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 1.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. Universal Logistics's payout ratio is 18.03%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ULH has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Logistics from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Universal Logistics from $37.00 to $29.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th.

Universal Logistics Stock Down 9.3%

The company has a market cap of $644.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.53 and a beta of 1.00. The stock's 50-day moving average is $25.56 and its 200-day moving average is $28.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The transportation company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.34 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $393.79 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $398.50 million. Universal Logistics had a net margin of 3.66% and a return on equity of 9.52%. On average, analysts anticipate that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Universal Logistics

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Logistics by 15,197.9% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,190 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 7,143 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Universal Logistics during the first quarter valued at approximately $248,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Universal Logistics by 8.0% during the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 33,657 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $883,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in Universal Logistics by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 13,090 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $601,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Logistics by 30.0% during the fourth quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,142 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $420,000 after purchasing an additional 2,111 shares in the last quarter. 25.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Universal Logistics

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.