DA Davidson holds Universal Forest stock at Neutral, $110 target

Published 22/05/2025, 14:46
DA Davidson holds Universal Forest stock at Neutral, $110 target

On Thursday, DA Davidson maintained a Neutral rating for Universal Forest Products (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:UFPI) with a steady price target of $110.00. The firm’s analyst, following recent investor meetings with the company’s senior management, expressed a cautiously optimistic outlook on the company’s future, noting key areas of focus and potential growth. According to InvestingPro data, UFPI is currently trading near its 52-week low of $95.90, having declined about 26% over the past six months. Analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued based on its Fair Value assessment.

During the meetings, discussions centered around Universal Forest Products’ strategy for refining its portfolio and exploring capital deployment opportunities. There was also dialogue about the potential for market share gains by Deckorators, a brand under the UFPI umbrella, and the pricing and competitive dynamics throughout the company’s range of offerings. The company’s strong financial position is evident in its balance sheet, with InvestingPro data showing more cash than debt and a remarkable 33-year track record of maintaining dividend payments.

While the overall demand across Universal Forest Products’ segments has not shown a marked upturn, the analyst highlighted a newfound confidence in the Packaging (NYSE:PKG) segment’s gross margins, which are believed to have bottomed out. Additionally, there was a clear line of sight to factors that could lead to improvements in the Retail segment. The company maintains solid fundamentals with a healthy gross profit margin of 17.7% and an impressive current ratio of 4.96x, indicating strong liquidity. For deeper insights into UFPI’s financial health and more exclusive ProTips, visit InvestingPro.

The analyst’s remarks underscore the company’s efforts to navigate the current market environment and identify areas for operational enhancement and growth. Despite the neutral stance, the tone of the feedback from the investor meetings suggests a recognition of the company’s potential to strengthen its position in the market.

Universal Forest Products, a leader in the wood products industry, continues to assess and adjust its business strategies to meet the changing landscape and maintain its competitive edge. The company’s stock remains under close watch by investors and analysts alike, as they anticipate future performance indicators and potential shifts in the market.

In other recent news, Universal Forest Products reported its first-quarter earnings for 2025, surpassing earnings per share (EPS) expectations with an actual EPS of $1.60, slightly above the forecast of $1.57. However, the company’s revenue fell short, coming in at $1.6 billion compared to the anticipated $1.61 billion. This revenue shortfall has raised concerns among investors, despite the EPS beat. Benchmark analysts responded by lowering their price target for Universal Forest Products from $135 to $125, maintaining a Buy rating, while DA Davidson held a Neutral rating with a $117 target. BMO Capital Markets also revised its price target downward from $125 to $110, citing challenges such as soft demand and competitive pricing pressures impacting EBITDA margins. Analysts from Benchmark have adjusted their earnings per share estimates for 2025 and 2026, decreasing them by $1.00 and $0.75, respectively. Despite these challenges, the company’s management remains optimistic about future growth, with plans for new product launches and strategic expansions. Universal Forest Products has also been active in share repurchase activities, indicating management’s confidence in the company’s value.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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