ULH

Industrials

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. · Trucking · $370M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
24.1
Poor

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. scores 24.1/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Industrials Sector
ULH
24.1
Sector avg
42.4
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.?

Universal Logistics Holdings is a Warren, Michigan-based transportation and logistics company serving customers across the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. It has operated in freight and supply chain services since 1932.

Universal Logistics generates revenue by moving freight and managing supply chains for industrial customers. Its services span truckload transportation, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, intermodal support, and value-added warehouse operations. The company serves sectors including automotive, steel, oil and gas, alternative energy, and manufacturing, transporting commodities such as automotive parts, building materials, food, and metals.

The company traces its roots to 1932 and is headquartered in Warren, Michigan.

  • Truckload services — dry van, flatbed, heavy-haul, and refrigerated
  • Domestic and international freight forwarding and customs brokerage
  • Value-added services — warehousing, kitting, sequencing, and sub-assembly
  • Intermodal and drayage support between ports, railheads, and customers

Is ULH a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates ULH as Poor overall, reflecting weak readings across most of the five scoring pillars.

The one area where ULH stands out relative to its overall profile is Valuation, which is rated Attractive — suggesting the market may already be pricing in the company's fundamental challenges.

Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk are all rated Weak, indicating broad structural headwinds across profitability, competitive positioning, expansion trajectory, and balance sheet stability.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does ULH pay dividends?

Yes — Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. pays a dividend.

ULH pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap logistics companies. For income-focused investors, the dividend provides a tangible return while the company navigates a challenging operating environment. Investors should weigh the sustainability of that payout against the Weak Risk and Quality pillar ratings before relying on it as a core income source.

When does ULH report earnings?

Universal Logistics Holdings reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.

Given Weak ratings across Growth and Quality pillars, recent results have not demonstrated the kind of consistent improvement that would signal a turning point. Revenue trends and margin dynamics remain under pressure relative to sector peers.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Universal Logistics Holdings' investor relations page directly.

ULH Price History

+3.2% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$10,461
That's a +4.6% total return, or +0.9% annualized.

Based on Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

ULH Long-term Outlook

The UQS pillar profile for ULH points to a challenging near-term fundamental outlook. Weak Growth and Risk ratings suggest limited near-term expansion and meaningful balance sheet or operational uncertainty. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the stock may reflect these concerns, but a re-rating would likely require visible improvement in profitability or competitive positioning.

Growth drivers

  • Exposure to automotive and industrial supply chains, which can benefit from reshoring trends
  • Value-added services segment offering potential for higher-margin contract work

Key risks

  • Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power in a commoditized freight market
  • Weak Risk rating points to financial or operational vulnerabilities that could weigh on performance
  • Freight market cyclicality can compress margins quickly during demand downturns

ULH vs Peers

ULH competes with several other small-cap trucking and logistics carriers in the US market.

CVLGULH scores lower
Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.

Covenant focuses on expedited and dedicated truckload services, with a growing managed freight segment that adds asset-light revenue.

HTLDSimilar UQS
Heartland Express, Inc.

Heartland operates as a primarily asset-based dry van carrier, competing on network density and driver retention.

MRTNULH scores lower
Marten Transport, Ltd.

Marten specializes in temperature-sensitive and time-critical freight, giving it a more differentiated niche within the truckload market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Universal Logistics Holdings do?

Universal Logistics Holdings provides transportation and logistics services across North America. Its offerings include truckload freight, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, intermodal drayage, and value-added supply chain services such as warehousing, kitting, and sequencing. The company primarily serves automotive, steel, and manufacturing customers.

Does ULH pay dividends?

Yes, ULH pays a regular dividend. This is notable for a small-cap logistics company. However, investors should consider the company's Weak Quality and Risk pillar ratings when assessing how sustainable that dividend may be over time.

When does ULH report earnings?

Universal Logistics Holdings reports on a quarterly cadence, in line with standard US-listed company practice. For exact dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of the company's official website.

Is ULH a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates ULH as Poor, driven by Weak readings on Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, which may interest contrarian investors. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is ULH overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, ULH is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not expensive relative to its fundamentals. That said, a low valuation can reflect genuine fundamental weakness rather than a hidden opportunity — context from the other pillars matters.

How does ULH compare to its competitors?

ULH competes with carriers like Covenant Logistics, Heartland Express, and Marten Transport. Each competitor has a more defined niche or network focus. ULH's broader multi-service model spans truckload, intermodal, and value-added logistics, but its Weak Moat rating suggests limited differentiation advantage versus peers.

What is ULH's market cap bracket?

ULH is classified as a small-cap stock. Small-cap industrials companies like ULH can offer exposure to niche logistics markets but typically carry higher volatility and liquidity risk than large-cap peers in the sector.

Who founded Universal Logistics Holdings?

Universal Logistics Holdings traces its origins to 1932. The company was formerly known as Universal Truckload Services, Inc. and adopted its current name in April 2016. Founding details are widely available through the company's official history and public filings.

Is ULH a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, ULH's Poor UQS Score — with Weak ratings across Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk — raises meaningful questions about durability of returns. Long-term investors typically look for stronger moat and quality signals before committing capital over a multi-year horizon.

What sector does ULH belong to?

ULH operates in the Industrials sector, specifically within transportation and logistics. The sector is cyclical, meaning ULH's revenue and margins tend to move with broader economic activity, freight demand, and fuel cost dynamics.

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  • See how ULH ranks within the Industrials sector universe
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Pro Analysis

ULH — Score History

1520253035Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 10 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 7, 202627.75.013.032.411.799.7+2.2
May 3, 202625.55.013.032.411.785.2+0.2
Apr 26, 202625.35.013.032.411.783.90.0
Apr 19, 202625.35.013.032.411.783.7-0.3
Apr 18, 202625.65.013.032.411.785.8+0.7
Apr 14, 202624.95.013.032.411.781.1-0.2
Apr 12, 202625.15.013.032.411.782.1+0.1
Apr 10, 202625.05.013.032.411.781.8+0.4
Apr 5, 202624.65.013.031.211.780.8+0.1
Apr 2, 202624.55.013.031.211.780.1

ULH — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

5.0/100 (25%)

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

29.6/100 (20%)

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

9.7/100 (15%)

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

81.3/100 (15%)

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

13/100 (25%)

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ULH.

Score Composition

Quality
5.0×25%1.3
Growth
29.6×20%5.9
Risk
9.7×15%1.5
Valuation
81.3×15%12.2
Moat
13.0×25%3.3
Total
24.1Poor

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the ULH UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.