UniFirst Co. (NYSE:UNF) Stock Holdings Lowered by River Road Asset Management LLC

River Road Asset Management LLC decreased its position in UniFirst Co. (NYSE:UNF) by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 855,426 shares of the textile maker’s stock after selling 6,565 shares during the quarter. UniFirst accounts for about 2.2% of River Road Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. River Road Asset Management LLC’s holdings in UniFirst were worth $169,930,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in UniFirst by 60.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 183 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in shares of UniFirst by 1.9% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 4,231 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $726,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of UniFirst by 2.9% in the second quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 2,806 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $481,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Oak Family Advisors LLC raised its holdings in UniFirst by 3.3% in the second quarter. Oak Family Advisors LLC now owns 2,915 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $500,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in UniFirst by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 7,600 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $1,304,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 78.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UniFirst Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNF opened at $179.53 on Tuesday. UniFirst Co. has a 1-year low of $149.58 and a 1-year high of $200.07. The company’s fifty day moving average is $188.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $176.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.11 and a beta of 0.82.

UniFirst Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 6th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.78%. This is a boost from UniFirst’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. UniFirst’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of UniFirst from $199.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. StockNews.com raised UniFirst from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, UniFirst currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $186.25.

UniFirst Company 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.