Virtu Financial LLC Makes New Investment in United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)

Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 11,872 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $324,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of UNFI. Advisors Preferred LLC bought a new stake in United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter worth about $3,637,000. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Natural Foods during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,867,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in shares of United Natural Foods by 118.1% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 177,937 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,993,000 after purchasing an additional 96,341 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Natural Foods by 44.6% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 281,713 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,694,000 after buying an additional 86,941 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of United Natural Foods by 352.2% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 108,181 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,820,000 after buying an additional 84,257 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.63% of the company’s stock.

United Natural Foods Price Performance

United Natural Foods stock opened at $26.95 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.17 and a beta of 0.56. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $29.30 and its 200-day moving average is $24.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a 12 month low of $8.58 and a 12 month high of $34.76.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.04. United Natural Foods had a positive return on equity of 1.27% and a negative net margin of 0.30%. The firm had revenue of $8.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.96 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.07 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.76 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on shares of United Natural Foods from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. CL King raised United Natural Foods from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $33.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on United Natural Foods from $23.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on United Natural Foods from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $27.50.

United Natural Foods Profile

United Natural Foods, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It operates in two segments, Wholesale and Retail. The company offers grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, wellness and personal care items, and bulk and foodservice products.