United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) Business Update Call July 16, 2025 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Giorgio Tarditi - President & CFO James Alexander Miller Douglas - CEO & Director Steven J. Bloomquist - Vice President Investor Relations Conference Call Participants Alexander Russell Slagle - Jefferies LLC, Research Division Charles Edward Cerankosky - Northcoast Research Partners, LLC John Edward Heinbockel - Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Research Division Leah Dianne Jordan - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc ...

Core Insights - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has updated its fiscal 2025 financial outlook while maintaining confidence in its long-term strategic goals, reflecting strong performance in the first three quarters and the impact of a cyber incident in the fourth quarter [1][3][11] Financial Outlook - For fiscal 2025, UNFI anticipates net sales of $31.6-$31.8 billion, an increase of 2.3% over fiscal 2024, compared to the previous forecast of $31.3-$31.7 billion [3][10] - Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be between $535 million and $565 million, slightly below the previous estimate of $550-$580 million, indicating a 6.2% growth over the prior year [3][10] - Adjusted EPS has been revised to 40-80 cents from the prior range of 70-90 cents, reflecting the temporary impact of the cyber incident [4] - Free cash flow is projected at approximately $200 million, up from the prior forecast of $150 million, showing a significant improvement from negative $92 million in fiscal 2024 [4][10] Cybersecurity Incident - UNFI faced a cybersecurity incident in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, which is expected to reduce net sales by about $350-$400 million and lower adjusted EBITDA by $40-$50 million [5] - The incident is anticipated to incur $20 million in incremental costs and about $5 million in remediation expenses, leading to a total estimated net loss of $50 million to $60 million, including tax impact [5] - Despite the disruption, primary ordering systems were restored within 10 days, and operations are now at normalized levels, with no material impact expected beyond fiscal 2025 [6] Strategic Initiatives - UNFI continues to focus on a partner-first strategy, improving efficiency, and accelerating multi-year growth plans despite recent challenges [2][11] - The company benefits from lean management practices, wholesale business realignment, and optimization of unprofitable operations, indicating a commitment to long-term value creation [7][11] - The natural and organic business segment is experiencing impressive growth due to increased consumer demand for healthier products, aligning with broader consumer trends [8]

United Natural Foods (UNFI) Update / Briefing July 16, 2025 08:30 AM ET Speaker0Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the UNFI Business Update Conference Call and Webcast. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer session. Thank you. I'd now like to turn the call over to Steve Blumquist, Vice President of Investor Relations.You may begin.Speaker1Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us for today's busi ...

Business Update July 16, 2025 2 Disclaimer Certain information in this presentation and discussed on the conference call which this presentation accompanies constitutes forward -looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 . Statements in this presentation regarding the Company's business that are not historical facts are "forward -looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and management estimates ; actual ...

Industry Overview - The natural foods industry has transformed from a niche market to a mainstream powerhouse due to increasing consumer health consciousness and environmental awareness [1] - Consumers are prioritizing clean eating practices and ethical sourcing, leading to a surge in demand for natural and organic food products [1][2] - The global healthy foods market is projected to reach $2.26 trillion by 2035, indicating significant growth potential [4] Consumer Trends - There is a heightened preference for transparency in sourcing and minimal processing, with organic, non-GMO, and preservative-free options becoming standard [2] - Governments worldwide are reinforcing this shift through stricter food labeling regulations, enhancing market expansion and consumer trust [2] Company Responses - Companies like General Mills, Inc. and The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. are adapting to the rising demand for organic and clean-label foods [3] - Vital Farms is expanding its network to over 450 family farms, a 50% increase since the end of 2023, to secure a stable supply of pasture-raised eggs [7] - Sprouts Farmers Market has introduced over 7,100 new items in 2024, with more than 70% of its products being attribute-driven [9][10] Investment Opportunities - Vital Farms is seeing robust growth in its butter segment, with net revenues increasing by 41% year over year [7] - Sprouts Farmers generated $1.7 billion in sales from private-label products in 2024, enhancing its reputation for high-quality offerings [10] - United Natural Foods, Inc. reported a 12% sales growth in its Wholesale Natural Products segment, outpacing the broader food industry [12] Innovation and Infrastructure - Companies are investing in plant-based alternatives, functional foods, and sustainable farming technologies to meet growing consumer demand [4] - Vital Farms is constructing a new facility in Indiana and enhancing its egg grading capacity to boost efficiency [8] - United Natural Foods is streamlining processes through Lean Daily Management across 20 distribution centers, improving fill rates and service levels [13][14] Product Development - Beyond Meat is focusing on clean-label credentials and health-forward innovation, launching products like Beyond Chicken Pieces and reformulated Beyond Burger [15][16] - The company emphasizes transparency and health impact through marketing campaigns that track health improvements in consumers [17]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that help investors select stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2][10] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [3] - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook through earnings and sales projections [4] - The Momentum Score identifies optimal times to invest based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive evaluation of stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +23.62% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for the best chances of high returns [10] Company Spotlight: United Natural Foods (UNFI) - United Natural Foods, Inc. is a leading distributor of natural and organic products in the U.S. and Canada, offering around 250,000 products across various categories [12] - UNFI holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of A and a Momentum Style Score of B, having seen a 10.8% increase in shares over the past four weeks [13] - The company's earnings estimate for fiscal 2025 has been revised upwards, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.01 to $0.83 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +429.5% [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - United Natural Foods (UNFI) has seen a 4.1% increase in share price over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500, but there are concerns about potential pullbacks leading up to the next earnings release [1] Group 1: Earnings Report and Market Reaction - The consensus estimate for United Natural has shifted downward by 94.71% over the past month, indicating a negative trend in earnings expectations [2] - The stock has received a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [4] Group 2: VGM Scores - United Natural has a strong Growth Score of A, a Momentum Score of B, and a Value Score of A, placing it in the top quintile for investment strategies [3] - The aggregate VGM Score for the stock is A, which is significant for investors not focused on a single strategy [3]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment potential of UNFI, highlighting its long-term growth prospects and market position [1][2]. Financial Performance - UNFI reported a revenue increase of 5% year-over-year, reaching $27 billion in the last fiscal year [1]. - The company's net income rose to $200 million, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Market Position - UNFI holds a significant market share in the grocery distribution sector, positioning itself as a key player among competitors [1]. - The company has expanded its customer base, adding over 1,000 new clients in the past year [1]. Strategic Initiatives - UNFI is focusing on enhancing its supply chain efficiency, which is expected to reduce operational costs by 15% over the next two years [1]. - The company is investing in technology upgrades to improve inventory management and customer service [1].

Core Viewpoint - Pomerantz LLP is investigating potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices involving United Natural Foods, Inc. and its officers or directors [1] Group 1: Incident Disclosure - On June 9, 2025, United Natural disclosed unauthorized activity on its IT systems, prompting the activation of its incident response plan and containment measures, which temporarily affected its ability to fulfill and distribute customer orders [3] - Following this disclosure, United Natural's stock price dropped by $4.56 per share, or 10.18%, closing at $23.30 per share on June 10, 2025 [3] Group 2: Legal Context - Pomerantz LLP is recognized as a leading firm in corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation, with a history of fighting for victims of securities fraud and corporate misconduct [4]

Core Viewpoint - United Natural Foods, Inc. is under investigation for potential securities fraud and unlawful business practices following a cybersecurity incident that affected its operations [1][2]. Group 1: Investigation Details - Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of United Natural Foods, focusing on whether the company and its officers engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful practices [1]. - The investigation was prompted by a recent disclosure from United Natural regarding unauthorized activity on its IT systems, which led to the activation of its incident response plan and temporary operational disruptions [2]. Group 2: Stock Market Reaction - Following the announcement of the cybersecurity incident, United Natural's stock price dropped by $4.56 per share, representing a decline of 10.18%, closing at $23.30 per share on June 10, 2025 [2]. Group 3: Firm Background - Pomerantz LLP is recognized as a leading firm in corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation, with a history of fighting for victims of securities fraud and corporate misconduct [3]. - The firm has a legacy of recovering significant damages for class members over its 80-year history [3].