Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Cut to “Strong Sell” at Zacks Research

Zacks Research lowered shares of Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report released on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Logistics presently has a consensus rating of “Sell” and a consensus target price of $15.00.

Universal Logistics Stock Performance

Shares of ULH opened at $14.29 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Universal Logistics has a one year low of $11.73 and a one year high of $30.76. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $15.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.10. The company has a market capitalization of $376.83 million, a PE ratio of -5.69 and a beta of 0.68.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 1st. The transportation company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.22). The business had revenue of $367.57 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $372.30 million. Universal Logistics had a positive return on equity of 2.65% and a negative net margin of 4.29%. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Logistics will post 0.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 1st were paid a $0.105 dividend. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 1st. Universal Logistics’s dividend payout ratio is currently -16.73%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Logistics

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Logistics in the first quarter valued at $789,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 5.0% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 108,268 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,841,000 after acquiring an additional 5,136 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 193,413 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,910,000 after purchasing an additional 8,039 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 93.7% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 13,514 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $343,000 after purchasing an additional 6,538 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 44.2% during the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 129,253 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,280,000 after purchasing an additional 39,633 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 25.50% of the company’s stock.

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.