United Natural Foods (Nasdaq: UNFI) reported earnings on Sep. 11. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended July 28 (Q4), United Natural Foods beat slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Gross margins shrank, operating margins expanded, net margins increased.

Revenue details
United Natural Foods logged revenue of $1.34 billion. The 13 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $1.32 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 16% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.16 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.50. The 13 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.51 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.51 for Q4 were 46% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.35 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 17.2%, 140 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.2%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.9%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.38 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.48.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $5.92 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.23.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 258 members out of 296 rating the stock outperform, and 38 members rating it underperform. Among 101 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 93 give United Natural Foods a green thumbs-up, and eight give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United Natural Foods is outperform, with an average price target of $54.00.

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