Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Should You Buy?

Shares of Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULH) saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 128,470 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 144% from the previous session’s volume of 52,733 shares.The stock last traded at $23.55 and had previously closed at $24.33.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Universal Logistics from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Universal Logistics in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Universal Logistics from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Logistics from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th. One equities research 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Logistics presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $20.00.

Universal Logistics Price Performance

The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $19.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.48. The stock has a market cap of $630.74 million, a PE ratio of -11.13 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26.

Universal Logistics (NASDAQ:ULH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, March 13th. The transportation company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by $0.19. Universal Logistics had a negative net margin of 3.64% and a positive return on equity of 4.13%. The firm had revenue of $385.43 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $376.10 million. On average, equities analysts expect that Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. will post 1.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Logistics Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 23rd were given a $0.105 dividend. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 23rd. Universal Logistics’s dividend payout ratio is presently -19.53%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Logistics

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ULH. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Logistics during the first quarter valued at approximately $789,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted 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 acquiring an additional 5,136 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted 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 acquiring an additional 8,039 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position 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 acquiring an additional 6,538 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in Universal Logistics by 44.2% during 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 25.50% of the company’s stock.

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.