Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume on Analyst Upgrade

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday after Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on the stock from $17.00 to $20.00. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a hold rating on the stock. Approximately 39,447 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 22% from the previous session’s volume of 50,634 shares.The stock last traded at $20.7730 and had previously closed at $20.80.

ULH has been the subject of a number of other reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Logistics from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 14th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Logistics currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $20.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 200,020 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,039,000 after purchasing an additional 7,339 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 5.3% in the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 136,107 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,190,000 after purchasing an additional 6,854 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 5.0% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 108,268 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,841,000 after purchasing an additional 5,136 shares during the period. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 1.8% in the third quarter. Anchor Capital Advisors LLC now owns 49,506 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,160,000 after purchasing an additional 875 shares during the period. Finally, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Logistics by 120.6% in the fourth quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 34,152 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $519,000 after purchasing an additional 18,672 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 25.50% of the company’s stock.

Universal Logistics Trading Up 3.7%

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $17.58 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market cap of $568.37 million, a PE ratio of -10.03 and a beta of 0.71.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 13th. The transportation company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by $0.19. Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 3.64% and a positive return on equity of 4.13%. The business had revenue of $385.43 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $376.10 million. As a group, analysts forecast that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 2.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, March 23rd were paid a $0.105 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 23rd. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Universal Logistics’s payout ratio is currently -19.53%.

About Universal Logistics

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.