BNP Paribas Financial Markets Purchases 260,862 Shares of United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) by 241.1% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 369,043 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 260,862 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in United Natural Foods were worth $10,079,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter valued at about $37,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Natural Foods during the fourth quarter valued at about $47,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of United Natural Foods by 796.2% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 1,882 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 1,672 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in United Natural Foods by 46.0% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,027 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 639 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.63% of the company’s stock.

United Natural Foods Price Performance

Shares of United Natural Foods stock opened at $27.65 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.61 and a beta of 1.08. United Natural Foods, Inc. has a 1-year low of $10.00 and a 1-year high of $34.76. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $26.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.62.

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 11th. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.96 billion. United Natural Foods had a negative net margin of 0.30% and a positive return on equity of 1.27%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.07 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that United Natural Foods, Inc. will post 0.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on UNFI. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of United Natural Foods from $25.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of United Natural Foods from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, CL King raised shares of United Natural Foods from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $33.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Natural Foods presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $27.50.

United Natural Foods Company 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.