Roth Capital Issues Optimistic Estimate for UNFI Earnings

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) – Stock analysts at Roth Capital upped their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for United Natural Foods in a report issued on Wednesday, October 1st. Roth Capital analyst W. Kirk now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.39 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.28. Roth Capital currently has a “Neutral” rating and a $35.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for United Natural Foods’ current full-year earnings is $0.76 per share. Roth Capital also issued estimates for United Natural Foods’ Q2 2026 earnings at $0.45 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $0.35 EPS.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, September 30th. The company reported ($0.11) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.18) by $0.07. The company had revenue of $7.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.61 billion. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.37% and a positive return on equity of 2.74%. The firm’s revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.01 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on UNFI. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on United Natural Foods from $27.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of United Natural Foods from $36.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of United Natural Foods from $29.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of United Natural Foods from $26.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of United Natural Foods in a research note on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $36.00.

United Natural Foods Stock Up 1.4%

UNFI stock opened at $40.07 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.43 billion, a PE ratio of -20.55 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. United Natural Foods has a twelve month low of $18.81 and a twelve month high of $40.28. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $28.80 and its 200-day moving average is $26.86.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Natural Foods

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Praxis Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its holdings in United Natural Foods by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 76,710 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,788,000 after acquiring an additional 1,624 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 1.1% during the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 44,607 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,040,000 after acquiring an additional 492 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming boosted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 23.3% in the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 11,974 shares of the company’s stock worth $279,000 after acquiring an additional 2,264 shares during the period. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 8.6% in the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 206,313 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,809,000 after acquiring an additional 16,325 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.63% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Natural Foods

In other news, insider Danielle Benedict sold 11,655 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.31, for a total transaction of $411,538.05. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 89,544 shares in the company, valued at $3,161,798.64. This trade represents a 11.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.