Q1 26 EPS
$0.56
BEAT +40.32%
Est. $0.40
Q1 26 Revenue
$7.84B
MISS 0.86%
Est. $7.91B
vs S&P Since Q1 26
+12.5%
BEATING MARKET
UNFI +21.4% vs S&P +8.9%
Market Reaction
Did UNFI Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
United Natural Foods delivered a standout profitability quarter in Q1 fiscal 2026, posting adjusted EPS of $0.56 against a consensus estimate of $0.40, a 40.32% beat that signaled meaningful operational progress even as top-line results came in sligh… Read more United Natural Foods delivered a standout profitability quarter in Q1 fiscal 2026, posting adjusted EPS of $0.56 against a consensus estimate of $0.40, a 40.32% beat that signaled meaningful operational progress even as top-line results came in slightly soft. Net sales of $7.84 billion fell 0.4% year-over-year and edged just below the $7.91 billion consensus, with growth in the Natural segment, up 10.5% to $4.24 billion, more than offset by an anticipated drop in Conventional sales tied to the planned wind-down of the Allentown, Pennsylvania distribution center. The real story was efficiency: adjusted EBITDA surged 24.6% to $167.00 million as lean daily management, now active across 34 distribution centers, drove higher productivity and margin expansion. That operational momentum has fueled growing analyst confidence, with several price target upgrades following a recent investor day event where management outlined targets of $33 billion in net sales and $800 million in adjusted EBITDA by fiscal 2028. For the full year, UNFI reaffirmed guidance calling for net sales of $31.60 billion to $32.00 billion and free cash flow of approximately $300.00 million.
Key Takeaways
- • Network optimization proceeding ahead of schedule
- • Lean daily management now implemented in 34 distribution centers
- • Higher distribution center productivity driving operating expense reduction
- • Favorable impact of supplier programs and higher procurement gains
- • Positive impact of customer mix on gross profit rate
- • Lower average outstanding debt reducing interest expense
- • Discrete tax benefits from favorable audit settlements and employee stock awards
UNFI YoY Financials
Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025, source: SEC Filings
UNFI Revenue by Segment
With YoY comparisons, source: SEC Filings
“We started fiscal 2026 with another quarter of solid execution and continued progress in delivering more value to our customers and suppliers as we strengthen effectiveness and efficiency. Our network optimization is proceeding ahead of schedule, and the benefits of recent supply chain investments, coupled with process improvements, is enabling us to strengthen service levels and increase throughput. This helped us deliver Adjusted EBITDA growth of nearly 25%, free cash flow meaningfully above last year and a sequential net leverage decline.”
— Sandy Douglas, Q1 2026 Earnings Press Release
UNFI Earnings Trends
UNFI vs Market 30 Day Price Reactions
30-day stock return vs benchmark after each earnings
UNFI EPS Trend
Earnings per share: estimate vs actual
UNFI Revenue Trend
Quarterly revenue: estimate vs actual
UNFI Quarterly Results
5 quarters of earnings data
| Quarter | EPS Est. | EPS Act. | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 26 MISS | $0.77 | $0.77 | -0.19% | $7.72B | -1.03% |
| Q2 26 BEAT | $0.51 | $0.62 | +22.70% | $7.95B | -1.99% |
| Q1 26 BEAT | $0.40 | $0.56 | +40.32% | $7.84B | -0.86% |
| Q4 25 BEAT FY | $-0.18 | $-0.11 | +38.31% | $7.70B | +0.76% |
| FY Full Year | $0.64 | $0.71 | +11.25% | $31.78B | +0.20% |
| Q3 25 BEAT | $0.22 | $0.44 | +104.56% | $8.06B | +3.45% |