Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.06 EPS

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The transportation company reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.06, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $396.79 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $422.80 million. Universal Logistics had a net margin of 3.66% and a return on equity of 9.47%.

Universal Logistics Stock Performance

Universal Logistics stock traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $15.11. 87,114 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 51,551. The firm has a market capitalization of $397.85 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.49 and a beta of 0.90. Universal Logistics has a 12 month low of $14.25 and a 12 month high of $52.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The business has a 50 day moving average of $21.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.82.

Universal Logistics Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.105 per share. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. Universal Logistics’s payout ratio is presently 18.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Universal Logistics from $28.00 to $24.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $24.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Logistics during the 1st quarter valued at about $789,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in 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 buying an additional 5,136 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Universal Logistics by 4.3% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 193,413 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,910,000 after buying an additional 8,039 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc increased its holdings in Universal Logistics by 93.7% during the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 13,514 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $343,000 after buying an additional 6,538 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in Universal Logistics by 44.2% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 129,253 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,280,000 after acquiring an additional 39,633 shares during the period. 25.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Logistics Company Profile

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.