Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.22 EPS

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The transportation company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.22), Zacks reports. Universal Logistics had a positive return on equity of 4.13% and a negative net margin of 3.64%.The firm had revenue of $367.58 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $372.30 million.

Universal Logistics Stock Down 7.0%

Shares of ULH traded down $1.68 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $22.40. 59,904 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 54,301. The company has a market cap of $590.24 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.42 and a beta of 0.71. Universal Logistics has a fifty-two week low of $12.78 and a fifty-two week high of $30.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $19.64 and its 200-day moving average is $17.57.

Universal Logistics Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ULH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Logistics from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 14th. Zacks Research upgraded Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Friday, March 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $20.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Logistics

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ULH. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Logistics in the first quarter valued at $789,000. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in Universal Logistics by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 108,268 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,841,000 after acquiring an additional 5,136 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Universal Logistics by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 193,413 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,910,000 after acquiring an additional 8,039 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its stake in Universal Logistics by 93.7% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 13,514 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $343,000 after acquiring an additional 6,538 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted 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 valued at $3,280,000 after acquiring an additional 39,633 shares during the last quarter. 25.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.