United Natural Foods shares rise 10.38% intraday after Q1 adjusted EBITDA jumps 24.6% and EPS beats estimates.

United Natural Foods surged 10.38% intraday following the release of its Q1 fiscal 2026 results, which highlighted a 24.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $167 million and a narrowed net loss of $4 million (from $21 million in Q1 2025). The report emphasized operational efficiencies, including lean daily management implementation in 34 distribution centers and network optimization, which drove cost savings and improved service levels. Additionally, adjusted EPS of $0.56 exceeded expectations by $0.16, reflecting strong execution despite a 0.4% sales decline. Management’s reaffirmed full-year guidance and progress toward reducing net leverage to 3.2x (a sequential improvement) further bolstered investor confidence. These metrics underscored the company’s ability to enhance profitability through cost discipline and strategic initiatives, directly aligning with the intraday price surge.