Universal Logistics Holdings Inc logo

Universal Logistics Holdings Inc(ULH)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$17.35
10/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for ULH

10/09/2026: ULH (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Universal Logistics Holdings is a diversified North American transportation and logistics provider that operates through truckload, intermodal, and brokerage services. Its main strength lies in a balanced, hybrid asset model that enables it to service specialized industrial customers across complex supply chains. The primary growth opportunity for the company stems from the continued trend of firms outsourcing logistics to experienced third-party providers. However, risks include the cyclical nature of manufacturing demand, sensitivity to fuel costs, and potential regulatory shifts in labor. The stock may best suit value-oriented or dividend-focused investors, and monitoring industrial production levels and fuel price trends is essential for tracking performance.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is largely cyclical and tied to industrial production rather than secular technology-driven expansion.
Momentum investorMixed fitThe stock can experience momentum during upswings in freight demand but is sensitive to broader economic trends.
Value investorStrong fitThe company often trades at valuation multiples that reflect its position as an established, dividend-paying logistics player.
Dividend investorStrong fitConsistent dividend payments make this an attractive option for income-oriented investors in the industrial sector.
Low-risk investorWeak fitLogistics and transportation stocks carry inherent risks related to fuel volatility, economic sensitivity, and operational intensity.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highFreight rates and fuel prices can cause significant swings in quarterly earnings.
Valuation riskMediumMarket sentiment toward industrial stocks can shift rapidly, impacting price-to-earnings multiples.
Competition risk (Logistics/Freight)HighThe sector faces intense price competition from both large national players and nimble digital brokers.
Business qualityMediumThe company is a solid operator but faces constraints due to the commoditized nature of general freight.
Dividend incomeMediumWhile consistent, dividends are subject to board approval and the company's capital allocation needs.
Execution riskMediumIntegrating acquisitions and managing a large, distributed fleet requires consistent operational discipline.

Price Behavior

Flat / Range-Bound
PRICE PATH

Flat / Range-Bound

The stock price has been trading within a narrow range with minimal directional movement.

Extreme Price Shocks
PRICE STABILITY

Extreme Price Shocks

The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -53.35%
Avg. Invested days 27
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 1.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
ULH receives a 2-star rating, reflecting soft or weak scores across the available pillars. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, soft analyst coverage, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
ULH has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with soft financial health, soft growth momentum, and moderate ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-176.9%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -2.6%), negative revenue growth (-15.6%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
ULH's financial health is soft, with the relatively strongest area being moderate efficiency, including operating-expense and cost-of-revenue discipline (opex 6.6% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 2-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is ULH's strongest growth driver at +70.5% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-15.6%, negative) and earnings growth (-176.9%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 28.9% (moderate) and 25.4% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable (soft). Insider ownership of 73.52% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

FMR Inc 14.99%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 3.05%
BlackRock Inc 2.07%
American Century Companies Inc 1.15%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 1.07%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
ULH generates approximately $105 of gross profit, $39 of operating income, and $-26 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Negative free cash flow explains the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 0.14%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
ULH has a relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze Risk

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 457.75M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 16
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 16
Volume (30-day avg) 61.5K shares
Beta 0.74
52 Weeks Range 11.59 - 25.49
Updated Date 10/09/2026
52 Weeks Range 11.59 - 25.49
Updated Date 10/09/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.46%
Basic EPS (TTM) -3.47

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Transportation ServicesTruckload and dedicated freight revenue derived from hauling industrial goods.The company makes money by charging for the movement of goods for manufacturing and retail customers.
Intermodal/DrayagePort and rail container movement fees.This is a specialized service connecting global shipping lanes to local distribution points.
BrokerageFees from managing freight matches for customers using third-party carriers.An asset-light service that generates revenue without the need to own the trucks.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 11.17
Enterprise Value 1.25B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.3
Enterprise Value 1.25B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.3
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.82
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 11.84
Shares Outstanding 26.37M
Shares Floating 6.70M
Shares Outstanding 26.37M
Shares Floating 6.70M
Percent Insiders 73.52
Percent Institutions 28.93

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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