What's Next: United Natural Foods's Earnings Preview

United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI) will release its quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, 2024-12-10. Here's a brief overview for investors ahead of the announcement.

Analysts anticipate United Natural Foods to report an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.10.

The market awaits United Natural Foods's announcement, with hopes high for news of surpassing estimates and providing upbeat guidance for the next quarter.

It's important for new investors to understand that guidance can be a significant driver of stock prices.

Past Earnings Performance

During the last quarter, the company reported an EPS beat by $0.11, leading to a 3.92% drop in the share price on the subsequent day.

Here's a look at United Natural Foods's past performance and the resulting price change:

Quarter Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024
EPS Estimate -0.10 0.03 -0.01 -0.21
EPS Actual 0.01 0.10 0.07 -0.04
Price Change % -4.0% 16.0% -1.0% 3.0%

Tracking United Natural Foods's Stock Performance

Shares of United Natural Foods were trading at $24.07 as of December 06. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 58.15%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are likely bullish going into this earnings release.

Analyst Insights on United Natural Foods

For investors, staying informed about market sentiments and expectations in the industry is paramount. This analysis provides an exploration of the latest insights on United Natural Foods.

Analysts have given United Natural Foods a total of 3 ratings, with the consensus rating being Neutral. The average one-year price target is $22.0, indicating a potential 8.6% downside.

Comparing Ratings with Peers

In this analysis, we delve into the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Chefs' Warehouse, Performance Food Gr and US Foods Hldg, three key industry players, offering insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.

As per analysts' assessments, Chefs' Warehouse is favoring an Buy trajectory, with an average 1-year price target of $54.0, suggesting a potential 124.35% upside. The prevailing sentiment among analysts is an Buy trajectory for Performance Food Gr, with an average 1-year price target of $95.33, implying a potential 296.05% upside. The prevailing sentiment among analysts is an Buy trajectory for US Foods Hldg, with an average 1-year price target of $73.38, implying a potential 204.86% upside. Analysis Summary for Peers

The peer analysis summary outlines pivotal metrics for Chefs' Warehouse, Performance Food Gr and US Foods Hldg, demonstrating their respective standings within the industry and offering valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

Company Consensus Revenue Growth Gross Profit Return on Equity
United Natural Foods Neutral 9.95% $1.12B -2.23%
Chefs' Warehouse Buy 5.63% $224.75M 2.99%
Performance Food Gr Buy 3.19% $1.76B 2.59%
US Foods Hldg Buy 6.83% $1.67B 3.08%

Key Takeaway:

United Natural Foods ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth among its peers. It also has the lowest Gross Profit margin. Additionally, it has the lowest Return on Equity.

About United Natural Foods

United Natural Foods Inc is a wholesale distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and nonfood products across North America. The company's products consist of national, regional and private label brands grouped into grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition, bulk and foodservice products, and personal care items. United Natural Foods serves various retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and foodservice channels such as e-commerce platforms. The company's operations are comprised of principal divisions: the wholesale division; the retail division; and other.

United Natural Foods: Financial Performance Dissected

Market Capitalization: Indicating a reduced size compared to industry averages, the company's market capitalization poses unique challenges.

Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, United Natural Foods showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 9.95% as of 31 July, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Consumer Staples sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.

Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -0.45%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.

Return on Equity (ROE): United Natural Foods's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of -2.23%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.

Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -0.49%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.

Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, United Natural Foods faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.

To track all earnings releases for United Natural Foods visit their earnings calendar on our site.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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