What a $20 Million Bet on a Stock Down 3% Signals for Investors
Key Points
- Connecticut-based financial planner Tweedy, Browne initiated a new position in UniFirst, buying 102,059 shares during the fourth quarter.
- The estimated trade size was $19.69 million based on quarter-end disclosures.
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The position represents 1.59% of Tweedy, Browne’s 13F reportable assets under management.
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On February 2, Tweedy, Browne disclosed a new position in UniFirst (NYSE:UNF), acquiring 102,059 shares during the fourth quarter in an estimated $19.69 million trade based on quarterly average pricing.
What happened
According to a SEC filing dated February 2, Tweedy, Browne reported a new position in UniFirst (NYSE:UNF), acquiring 102,059 shares during the fourth quarter. This increased the quarter-end position value by $19.69 million, a figure that reflects the new purchase of shares.
What else to know
The new UniFirst position accounts for 1.59% of Tweedy, Browne’s $1.24 billion in reportable U.S. equity assets after the fourth-quarter filing.
Top holdings after the filing:
- NASDAQ: IONS: $195.00 million (15.8% of AUM)
- NYSE: CNH: $186.07 million (15.03% of AUM)
- NYSE: KOF: $112.59 million (9.10% of AUM)
- NYSE: BRK-A: $108.69 million (8.78% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: GOOGL: $62.46 million (5.05% of AUM)
As of February 2, UniFirst shares were priced at $208.02, down 2.7% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 17.70 percentage points.
Company overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.45 billion |
| Net income (TTM) | $139.53 million |
| Dividend yield | 0.68% |
| Price (as of February 2) | $208.02 |
Company snapshot
- UniFirst offers uniforms, protective workwear, facility service products, and first aid supplies, with revenue primarily from rental and cleaning services, as well as direct sales.
- The company operates a multi-segment business model including full-service rental programs, garment leasing, and direct sales, generating recurring revenue from ongoing service contracts.
- It serves a diversified customer base across automotive, retail, manufacturing, food service, healthcare, government, and high-technology sectors in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
UniFirst is a leading provider of workplace uniforms and facility services, operating at scale across North America and select international markets. The company leverages a vertically integrated model, from manufacturing to delivery, to ensure quality and service consistency. Its broad customer reach and focus on recurring service contracts provide stable cash flows and a defensible market position.
What this transaction means for investors
For long-term investors, this move matters less because of near-term stock performance and more because of what it adds to the portfolio’s overall shape. The position lands in a business built around recurring revenue, contractual relationships, and operational scale rather than cyclical upside. That stands out when viewed next to Tweedy, Browne’s relatively top-heavy allocation to higher-volatility growth names and conglomerates.
UniFirst’s most recent quarter showed why patience is required. Revenue rose 2.7% year over year to $621.3 million, driven by organic growth in its core uniform and facility services segment, but margins compressed as the company leaned into planned technology and growth investments. Operating margin fell to 7.3% from 9.2%, while diluted EPS declined to $1.89 from $2.31 one year earlier. The headline numbers were softer, yet management reaffirmed full-year revenue guidance of up to $2.50 billion and highlighted improved customer retention and new account wins.
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Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway, and Ionis Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
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