Short Interest in US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD) Grows By 28.8%

Key Points

• US Foods Holding Corp. saw a substantial increase in short interest, rising **28.8%** from July to August, with **6,170,000 shares** as of August 15th.
• Several research firms have rated US Foods positively, with price targets ranging from **$81.27** to **$96.00**, indicating a generally optimistic outlook on the stock.
• The company reported **$1.19 earnings per share** for the latest quarter, outperforming analysts' expectations of **$1.14**, although revenue fell slightly short of forecasts at **$10.08 billion**.

US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 6,170,000 shares, an increase of 28.8% from the July 31st total of 4,790,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,230,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 2,230,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.8 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on USFD. Citigroup began coverage on shares of US Foods in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $95.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $87.00 target price (up from $80.00) on shares of US Foods in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Guggenheim increased their target price on shares of US Foods from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of US Foods from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of US Foods from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, September 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $81.27.

Insider Transactions at US Foods

In related news, EVP Dirk J. Locascio sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $600,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 115,077 shares in the company, valued at $9,206,160. This represents a 6.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On US Foods

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in shares of US Foods in the first quarter worth about $31,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in US Foods by 120.1% during the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 482 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in US Foods by 153.6% during the fourth quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 492 shares of the company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. MAI Capital Management lifted its position in US Foods by 155.6% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 529 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its position in US Foods by 58.7% during the second quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 541 shares of the company's stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.76% of the company's stock.

US Foods Stock Performance

NYSE USFD traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $79.63. 1,810,960 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,698,386. US Foods has a 1 year low of $57.36 and a 1 year high of $85.11. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $80.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.39.

US Foods (NYSE:USFD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $10.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.17 billion. US Foods had a net margin of 1.43% and a return on equity of 16.86%. The company's revenue was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.93 earnings per share. US Foods has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.764-3.874 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that US Foods will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current year.

US Foods Company Profile

US Foods Holding Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in marketing, sale, and distribution of fresh, frozen, and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. The company's customers include independently owned single and multi-unit restaurants, regional concepts, national restaurant chains, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels and motels, country clubs, government and military organizations, colleges and universities, and retail locations.