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United Natural Foods (UNFI)
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United Natural Foods (UNFI) AI Stock Analysis

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UNFI

United Natural Foods

(NYSE:UNFI)

Rating:62Neutral
Price Target:
$28.00
▲(5.74% Upside)
United Natural Foods' stock score reflects a balance of moderate financial performance with strong cash flow but ongoing profitability challenges. Technical indicators present a mixed outlook, while valuation remains a concern with a negative P/E ratio. The recent earnings call and corporate events, including an IT security breach, further complicate the company's near-term prospects.
Positive Factors
Earnings Momentum
Analyst's recommendation is upgraded to EW on improving earnings momentum.
Sales Growth
UNFI actually raised F25 sales guidance, suggesting a constructive underlying top-line trend persisted.
Negative Factors
Cyber Incident Impact
UNFI reported a $350-400 million top-line headwind from the recent cyber incident with a $40-50 million hit to EBITDA from the lost sales.
Market Share Risks
Downside risks include potential market share losses, customer attrition, and cost pressures from wages and transportation.

United Natural Foods (UNFI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

United Natural Foods Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUnited Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is a leading distributor of natural, organic, specialty, produce, and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. The company operates within the wholesale distribution sector, providing a comprehensive range of products to a variety of customers including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, e-commerce platforms, and food service providers. UNFI is committed to offering an extensive selection of high-quality and sustainable products to meet the growing consumer demand for health and wellness options.
How the Company Makes MoneyUNFI generates revenue primarily through its wholesale distribution services by purchasing products from manufacturers and suppliers and selling them to its diverse customer base, which includes grocery stores, supermarkets, and food service businesses. Key revenue streams include the sale of natural and organic foods, specialty products, and conventional grocery items. The company also earns from providing value-added services such as marketing support, merchandising assistance, and logistical solutions. In addition, UNFI's partnerships with leading grocery retailers, including its significant supply arrangement with Whole Foods Market, owned by Amazon, contribute notably to its earnings by ensuring consistent demand for its products. UNFI's strategic acquisitions and expansion into different geographic markets further bolster its revenue by increasing its distribution network and customer reach.

United Natural Foods Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jun 10, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: 2.08%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 07, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture with strong sales and profitability growth but was overshadowed by significant operational disruptions due to an IT security breach. The termination of a major contract with Key Food also poses challenges. While underlying business momentum remains strong, the immediate focus is on resolving the IT issues and managing customer relationships.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Q3 Sales Growth
Sales grew by 7.5% or about $506 million to nearly $8.1 billion, driven by 12% growth in the Wholesale Natural Products business and new business wins in the Wholesale Conventional Products business.
Adjusted EBITDA and Margin Improvement
Adjusted EBITDA grew by 21% to $157 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin rate of 2%, the highest in 2 years.
Free Cash Flow and Debt Reduction
Generated $190 million in free cash flow in the quarter, reducing net debt to under $1.93 billion and lowering net leverage to 3.3 turns.
Network Optimization
Closed the sale of the Billings distribution center and used the proceeds to reduce debt. Continued progress on Lean Daily Management in 20 of 52 distribution centers.
Negative Updates
IT System Security Breach
The company experienced unauthorized activity on its IT systems, leading to system shutdowns and operational disruptions, with impacts still being assessed.
Termination of Key Food Agreement
Mutually agreed to end the Northeastern distribution agreement with Key Food, incurring a $53 million contract termination fee and ceasing operations at the Allentown facility.
Potential Short-term Cost Increases
Expected elevated costs related to managing the IT incident and operational disruptions, though precise impacts are still uncertain.
Company Guidance
During UNFI's Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 earnings call, management provided a comprehensive update on the company's performance and strategic initiatives. They reported a 7.5% increase in third-quarter sales, reaching nearly $8.1 billion, driven by a 12% rise in the Wholesale Natural Products segment and close to a 3% increase in the Wholesale Conventional Products segment. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 21% year-over-year to $157 million, with an adjusted EBITDA rate of 2%, the highest in two years. UNFI also achieved a 75 basis point reduction in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, reflecting improvements in process efficiency and Lean Daily Management implementation in 20 of their 52 distribution centers. The company generated $190 million in free cash flow during the quarter, surpassing their original annual outlook, and reduced net leverage by 1.3 turns compared to the previous year. Despite a recent cybersecurity incident, which UNFI is actively managing, the company remains confident in achieving its fiscal 2027 financial objectives ahead of schedule, with plans to update long-term financial goals in the fall.

United Natural Foods Financial Statement Overview

Summary
United Natural Foods is experiencing moderate revenue growth and strong cash flow management. Despite these positives, the company struggles with negative net income and low EBIT margins, suggesting ongoing profitability challenges.
Income Statement
65
Positive
United Natural Foods shows a moderate revenue growth of 4.07% TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) compared to the previous year, driven by increased market demand. However, net profit margins remain negative at -0.21%, indicating profitability issues. The gross profit margin is stable at 13.36%, but the EBIT margin is quite low at 0.15%, reflecting challenges in operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's balance sheet reflects moderate leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20. Stockholders' equity as a percentage of total assets is 21.34%, indicating a reasonable equity buffer. Return on equity (ROE) is negative due to net losses, highlighting ongoing profitability challenges.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
United Natural Foods demonstrates strong cash flow management with a significant improvement in free cash flow, recording a growth rate of 396.74% TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 7.49, indicating strong cash generation capabilities despite net losses.
BreakdownSep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021Sep 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue30.98B30.27B28.93B26.95B26.51B
Gross Profit4.20B4.13B4.18B3.94B3.87B
EBITDA356.00M502.00M684.00M599.00M115.00M
Net Income-112.00M24.00M248.00M149.00M-254.01M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets7.53B7.39B7.63B7.53B7.59B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments40.00M37.00M44.00M41.00M46.99M
Total Debt3.55B3.27B3.38B3.43B3.66B
Total Liabilities5.89B5.65B5.84B6.01B6.44B
Stockholders Equity1.64B1.74B1.79B1.51B1.14B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-92.00M301.00M80.00M304.00M283.97M
Operating Cash Flow253.00M624.00M331.00M614.00M456.54M
Investing Cash Flow-342.00M-339.00M-49.00M-237.00M-1.47M
Financing Cash Flow92.00M-292.00M-279.00M-384.00M-453.07M

United Natural Foods Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price26.48
Price Trends
50DMA
25.44
Positive
100DMA
26.07
Positive
200DMA
26.25
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.71
Positive
RSI
52.25
Neutral
STOCH
23.34
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UNFI, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 26.48 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.39, above the 50-day MA of 25.44, and above the 200-day MA of 26.25, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.71 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.25 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 23.34 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for UNFI.

United Natural Foods Risk Analysis

United Natural Foods disclosed 25 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. United Natural Foods reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

United Natural Foods Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (50)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$15.33B40.919.05%6.20%-10.58%
77
Outperform
$2.67B40.5913.64%7.90%68.05%
75
Outperform
$19.07B38.9111.16%6.32%5.69%
73
Outperform
$38.42B21.2599.08%2.59%3.21%-4.03%
71
Outperform
$897.58M2,245.98-1.38%3.30%0.26%-119.66%
62
Neutral
$1.60B-4.11%6.62%53.12%
50
Neutral
AU$2.04B-0.17-22.96%9.17%4.40%-101.77%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UNFI
United Natural Foods
26.48
13.61
105.75%
SPTN
SpartanNash Co
26.51
7.89
42.37%
SYY
Sysco
79.25
5.73
7.79%
CHEF
The Chefs' Warehouse
65.51
28.44
76.72%
PFGC
Performance Food Group
98.19
33.13
50.92%
USFD
US Foods Holding
82.42
31.11
60.63%

United Natural Foods Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
United Natural Foods CEO Andre Persaud to Step Down
Neutral
Jul 21, 2025

United Natural Foods, Inc. announced that Andre Persaud will step down as President and CEO of Retail effective July 25, 2025, as part of the company’s strategy to accelerate its retail business. Persaud’s departure qualifies as a termination that entitles him to severance benefits under the Severance Agreement, which includes restrictive covenants and a release of claims against the company. His equity awards will vest on a prorated basis as outlined in the company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNFI) stock is a Hold with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on United Natural Foods stock, see the UNFI Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
United Natural Foods Revises Fiscal 2025 Outlook
Positive
Jul 16, 2025

On July 16, 2025, United Natural Foods, Inc. provided a business update, revising its full-year outlook for fiscal 2025 due to strong performance in the first three quarters and the impact of a previously disclosed cyber incident. The company reported a 5.5% increase in net sales, a $44 million improvement in net loss, and a 16% rise in adjusted EBITDA. Despite the cyber incident’s estimated impact on fiscal 2025 net sales by $350 to $400 million and net income by $50 to $60 million, UNFI remains confident in achieving its long-term financial targets ahead of schedule. The company expects to reduce net leverage to nearly 2.5x by the end of fiscal 2026, a year earlier than initially projected.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNFI) stock is a Hold with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on United Natural Foods stock, see the UNFI Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
United Natural Foods Issues Clarification on Form 8-K
Neutral
Jun 10, 2025

United Natural Foods has issued a Current Report on Form 8-K, clarifying that the information provided is not considered ‘filed’ under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This announcement ensures that the details shared are not subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, impacting how stakeholders should interpret the information.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNFI) stock is a Hold with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on United Natural Foods stock, see the UNFI Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
United Natural Foods Faces IT Security Breach
Negative
Jun 9, 2025

On June 5, 2025, United Natural Foods, Inc. discovered unauthorized activity on its IT systems, leading to temporary disruptions in fulfilling and distributing customer orders. The company has implemented containment measures and workarounds to mitigate the impact, with ongoing efforts to restore systems and assess the incident’s scope with the help of cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNFI) stock is a Hold with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on United Natural Foods stock, see the UNFI Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 17, 2025