SG Americas Securities LLC Lowers Position in UniFirst Co. (NYSE:UNF)

SG Americas Securities LLC lessened its holdings in UniFirst Co. (NYSE:UNF) by 91.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 820 shares of the textile maker’s stock after selling 8,480 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in UniFirst were worth $150,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY grew its stake in shares of UniFirst by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 920 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $178,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the period. SageView Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of UniFirst by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,457 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $238,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of UniFirst by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,269 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $533,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in UniFirst by 6.6% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,308 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $252,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in UniFirst by 16.7% during the second quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 579 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $90,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. 78.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

UniFirst Stock Down 1.6 %

UniFirst stock opened at $157.36 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.75 and a beta of 0.82. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $168.49 and a 200-day moving average of $169.79. UniFirst Co. has a 52-week low of $150.50 and a 52-week high of $187.22.

UniFirst Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 7th will be given a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 7th. UniFirst’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.60%.

Insider Transactions at UniFirst

In other UniFirst news, EVP William Masters Ross sold 2,282 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.27, for a total value of $399,966.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 4,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $707,039.18. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.74% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNF has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on UniFirst from $184.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. StockNews.com cut UniFirst from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 23rd. Robert W. Baird reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $185.00 price target on shares of UniFirst in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on UniFirst from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, UniFirst presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $177.75.

UniFirst Profile

UniFirst Corporation provides workplace uniforms and protective work wear clothing in the United States, Europe, and Canada. The company operates through U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing, Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning, and First Aid segments. It designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers, and sells a range of uniforms and protective clothing, including shirts, pants, jackets, coveralls, lab coats, smocks, and aprons; and specialized protective wear, such as flame resistant and high visibility garments.