Fact based stock research
United Natural Foods (NYSE:UNFI)

US9111631035

How to read the free ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

United Natural Foods stock research in summary

unfi.com

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 79 (better than 79% compared with investment alternatives), United Natural Foods (Food Distributors, USA) shares have much better financial characteristics than comparable stocks. Shares of United Natural Foods are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 59 (better than 59% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 91) but are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 38), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 79, is a strong buy recommendation based on United Natural Foods's financial characteristics. As the company United Natural Foods's key financial metrics exhibit excellent performance in two areas, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 59) and above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 91), it could be argued that the risk-taking in financing (Obermatt Safety Rank of only 38) indicates that the company is optimistic about the future and sees debt as an opportunity to boost returns. More debt means more shareholder returns if everything goes well. However, higher debt burdens are risky when interest rates rise or the business deteriorates in a crisis. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more

Latest Obermatt Ranks


360° View^new
Sentiment Rank^new
Value Rank	59
Growth Rank	91
Safety Rank	38
Combined Rank	79

Country	USA
Industry	Food Distributors
Index	S&P US Food & Beverage
Size class	XX-Large

19-Dec-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.

Further information

Multiple opinions. One number.

Analysts rarely agree on a stock’s future. So, who do you believe? Obermatt translates those collective views into a single Sentiment Rank. That plus the financial ranks give you the ultimate 360° View. Sign up to access them.

Why popular stocks have low ratings

It’s easier said than done. When your stock drops, it’s easy to want to sell it and find a better performer. Think twice, or even three times, before trading. Those fees (especially the hidden ones) can eat up your gains.

Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.

Research History: United Natural Foods

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	56	87	48	59
GROWTH
GROWTH	63	51	3	91
SAFETY
SAFETY	30	60	40	38
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT	n/a	79	16	^new
360° VIEW
360° VIEW	n/a	99	6	^new

Most recent update of the stock research: 19-Dec-2024. Financial reporting date used for calculating ranks: 3-Aug-2024. Stock research history is based on the Obermatt Method. The higher the rank, the better United Natural Foods is in the corresponding investment strategy.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.

Combined financial peformance in Detail

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	56	87	48	59
GROWTH
GROWTH	63	51	3	91
SAFETY
SAFETY	30	60	40	38
COMBINED
COMBINED	64	83	8	79

Last update of combined financial performance: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on combined financial performance: The higher the rank of United Natural Foods the better the performance.

Value Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 59 (better than 59% compared with alternatives), United Natural Foods shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half the indicators are below and half above average for United Natural Foods. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 97, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 97% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning United Natural Foods's revenue size. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio), which is more favorable than for 89% of alternatives (11% of peers have a higher ratio). But expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 1 are lower than average (dividends are expected to be lower than 99% of other stocks) while the Price to Profit ratio (or Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio) is higher than average with a Price-to-Profit Rank of 20, making the stock more expensive compared with the company's expected profit levels. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 59, is a buy recommendation based on United Natural Foods's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Low profits and low dividends as seen here for United Natural Foods may indicate a restructuring phase. This could be transitory, making the company a good value when profits recover and dividends return to higher levels. If the stock price is compared with the size indicators for revenue and invested capital, it is on the lower side, making this stock a good value investment (apart from current profit and dividend expectations). We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision. ...read more

VALUE METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)	98	97	100	97
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)	62	80	3	20
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)	56	97	100	89
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD	1	1	1	1
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE	56	87	48	59

Last update of Value Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on value ratios: The higher the rank, the lower the value ratio of United Natural Foods; except for dividend yield where the rank is higher, the higher the yield.

Growth Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 91 (better than 91% compared with alternatives) for 2024, United Natural Foods shows one of the highest growth dynamics in its industry. Investors also speak of high momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for United Natural Foods. Profit Growth has a rank of 98 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its profits more than 98% of its competitors. The same is valid for capital growth and stock returns. Capital Growth has a rank of 80, and Stock Returns has a rank of 95 which means that the stock returns have recently been above 95% of alternative investments. Only revenue growth is low with a Sales Growth has a rank of 12 (88% of its competitors are better). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 91, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The many positive growth indicators indicate a positive growth momentum with only low revenue growth. That can also be attributed to divestments or the sale of unprofitable businesses. If that is the reason, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case. ...read more

GROWTH METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH	20	28	22	12
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH	72	34	4	98
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH	n/a	39	27	80
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS	100	100	3	95
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH	63	51	3	91

Last update of Growth Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on growth metrics: The higher the rank, the higher the growth and returns of United Natural Foods.

Safety Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 38 (better than 38% compared with alternatives), the company United Natural Foods has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of United Natural Foods is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for United Natural Foods and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 97, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 97% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 30, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 70% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 12, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 88% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 38 (worse than 62% compared with alternatives), United Natural Foods has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for United Natural Foods are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. In the long-term, investors may have a debt challenge with United Natural Foods and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more

SAFETY METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE	8	26	30	30
REFINANCING
REFINANCING	86	95	97	97
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY	33	36	13	12
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY	30	60	40	38

Last update of Safety Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on safety metrics: The higher the rank, the lower the leverage of United Natural Foods and the more cash is available to service its debt.

Sentiment Metrics in Detail

SENTIMENT	2021	2022	2023	2024
ANALYST OPINIONS
ANALYST OPINIONS	n/a	32	13	^new
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE	n/a	50	95	^new
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS	n/a	85	8	^new
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE	n/a	64	31	^new
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT	n/a	79	16	^new

Last update of Sentiment Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on sentiment metrics: The higher the rank, the more positive the sentiment for United Natural Foods.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.