US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE:USFD) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,970,000 shares, a growth of 34.1% from the January 31st total of 2,960,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,060,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays raised their target price on US Foods from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on US Foods from $79.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on US Foods from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Melius Research upgraded US Foods to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price target on US Foods from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, US Foods has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $70.33.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director David W. Bullock bought 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $71.06 per share, with a total value of $284,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $319,770. This trade represents a 800.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On US Foods

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lifted its position in US Foods by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 4,134 shares of the company’s stock valued at $279,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its position in US Foods by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 67,426 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,549,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in US Foods by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 66,848 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,022,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in US Foods by 59.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 477 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC lifted its position in US Foods by 94.5% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 389 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.76% of the company’s stock.

US Foods Stock Performance

Shares of USFD opened at $69.21 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $69.51 and a 200-day moving average of $65.62. The company has a market cap of $15.94 billion, a PE ratio of 34.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.65. US Foods has a one year low of $49.65 and a one year high of $73.19.

US Foods (NYSE:USFD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 13th. The company reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.79 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $9.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.47 billion. US Foods had a net margin of 1.30% and a return on equity of 15.03%. On average, equities research analysts predict that US Foods will post 3.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About US Foods

US Foods Holding Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in marketing, sale, and distribution of fresh, frozen, and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. The company's customers include independently owned single and multi-unit restaurants, regional concepts, national restaurant chains, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels and motels, country clubs, government and military organizations, colleges and universities, and retail locations.