Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Shares Gap Up – Time to Buy?

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH) gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $18.70, but opened at $19.40. Universal Logistics shares last traded at $19.39, with a volume of 1,118 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on ULH. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 15th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Logistics presently has a consensus rating of “Sell” and a consensus price target of $15.00.

Universal Logistics Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $16.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market cap of $527.43 million, a PE ratio of -10.78 and a beta of 0.69.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 31st. The transportation company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.03. Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 3.16% and a positive return on equity of 1.99%. The company had revenue of $379.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $380.40 million. Research analysts predict that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 0.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Logistics Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be given a $0.105 dividend. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. Universal Logistics’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -22.83%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Logistics

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ULH. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Logistics during the fourth quarter worth about $322,000. Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 10.7% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 10,557 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $160,000 after purchasing an additional 1,019 shares in the last quarter. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Logistics in the 4th quarter valued at about $340,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Logistics by 46.2% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 7,579 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 2,396 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Logistics by 19.8% in the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 15,110 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 2,501 shares during the period. 25.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.