United Natural Foods misses Q3 sales estimates, narrows FY guidance range

United Natural Foods, Inc.

United Natural Foods, Inc.

UNFI

0.00


Overview

  • US grocery wholesaler's fiscal Q3 sales fell 4.2% and missed analyst expectations

  • Adjusted EPS missed analyst expectations

  • Company repurchased 82,233 shares for about $4 mln and narrowed full-year guidance range


Outlook

  • Company narrows full-year 2026 net sales outlook to $31.1 bln-$31.3 bln

  • United Natural Foods expects fiscal 2026 EPS of $0.90-$1.10 and adjusted EPS of $2.40-$2.60

  • Company expects full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance at $685 mln-$705 mln


Result Drivers

  • OPTIMIZATION ACTIONS - Sales decline driven by network optimization, including transition out of Allentown, Pennsylvania distribution center and loss of short-term project-based work

  • COST SAVINGS - Operating expenses fell nearly 7% due to cost-saving initiatives, network optimization, and insurance proceeds

  • MARGIN IMPROVEMENT - Gross profit rate increased due to network optimization actions and improved customer mix, partially offset by lower retail margins


Company press release: ID:nBw3XyKJta


Key Details

Metric

Beat/Miss

Actual

Consensus Estimate

Q3 Sales

Miss

$7.72 bln

$7.80 bln (9 Analysts)

Q3 Adjusted EPS

Miss

$0.77

$0.78 (10 Analysts)

Q3 EPS

$0.52

Q3 Net Income

$33 mln

Q3 Adjusted EBITDA

$183 mln


Analyst Coverage

  • The current average analyst rating on the shares is "hold" and the breakdown of recommendations is 3 "strong buy" or "buy", 8 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

  • The average consensus recommendation for the food retail & distribution peer group is "buy."

  • Wall Street's median 12-month price target for United Natural Foods Inc is $45.00, about 12.9% below its June 8 closing price of $51.64

  • The stock recently traded at 17 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 15 three months ago


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