Bull case
USFD would need investors to value it at roughly 22x earnings — about 3x more generous than today's 19x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where USFD stock could go
USFD would need investors to value it at roughly 22x earnings — about 3x more generous than today's 19x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 25x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case reflects a scenario where earnings shortfalls or multiple compression combine to materially reduce the stock from its current level.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

US Foods is a major foodservice distributor that supplies fresh, frozen, and dry food products to restaurants, healthcare facilities, hotels, and other institutional customers across the United States. It generates revenue primarily through broadline distribution—selling a full range of food and non-food items to foodservice operators—which accounts for the vast majority of its sales, supplemented by its cash-and-carry business for smaller operators. The company's competitive advantage lies in its extensive national distribution network of 70+ broadline facilities, which provides scale efficiencies and reliable service to a diverse customer base.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $0.68/$0.69 | -1.9% | $9.4B/$9.4B | -0.4% |
| Q3 2025 | $1.19/$1.14 | +4.4% | $10.1B/$10.2B | -0.9% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.07/$1.04 | +2.9% | $10.2B/$10.2B | +0.2% |
| Q1 2026 | $1.04/$1.00 | +4.0% | $9.8B/$9.9B | -0.9% |
USFD beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $100 — implies +7.3% from today's price.
| Metric | USFD | S&P 500 | Consumer Defensive | 5Y Avg USFD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 19.3x | 19.1x | 14.6x+32% | — |
| Trailing PE | 31.3x | 25.2x+24% | 19.6x+59% | 36.1x-13% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.75x | 1.85x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 24.0x | 15.3x+57% | 11.4x+110% | 14.9x+61% |
| Price/FCF | 24.6x | 21.3x+15% | 15.7x+56% | 24.3x |
| Price/Sales | 0.6x | 3.1x-81% | 0.8x-29% | 0.3x+77% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.88% | 2.73% | 0.30% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolUSFD returns 3.9% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~5.3 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
US Foods carries a substantial debt of $5.01 billion, with a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.89x. This level of debt poses a significant financial risk, particularly during economic downturns, as it may limit the company's financial flexibility.
The company has a negative tangible book value of -$1.96 billion, indicating that its liabilities exceed its physical assets when intangible assets are excluded. This situation raises concerns about the company's financial stability and asset management.
US Foods faces increased competition in the food distribution sector, which could pressure margins and market share. This competitive landscape may lead to pricing pressures and impact overall profitability.
Fluctuations in food costs can significantly impact US Foods' profitability. Given the company's reliance on stable food prices, any sharp increases could adversely affect margins and earnings.
The company's performance is susceptible to broader economic conditions, including inflation and the potential for a recession. Economic downturns can lead to reduced consumer spending and demand for food services.
Potential labor disruptions pose a risk to US Foods' operations. Any significant labor strikes or shortages could impact the company's ability to maintain service levels and operational efficiency.
Recent significant open-market selling by key executives has created a negative sentiment among insiders. This could signal a lack of confidence in the company's future performance.
The stock has experienced analyst downgrades, which may affect investor sentiment and lead to decreased demand for the shares. Such downgrades can create volatility in the stock price.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
A significant majority of analysts have a 'Buy' or 'Moderate Buy' rating on USFD stock, indicating strong market confidence. The consensus price target suggests considerable upside potential from current levels.
US Foods is expected to experience substantial earnings growth in the coming year, with projections indicating a significant increase in earnings per share. The company has also surpassed its long-range plan targets in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share.
US Foods has consistently gained market share, particularly in the independent restaurant segment, and is expanding its private label brands. The company is pursuing a robust M&A pipeline and investing in technology, including AI and digital platforms, to enhance customer engagement.
The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth and improved profitability, with expanding EBITDA margins. US Foods also shows strong cash conversion, with operating cash flow significantly exceeding net income, which supports share buybacks and capital expenditures.
US Foods is considered a defensive stock, likely to perform well in challenging economic environments. Its business model and strategic initiatives position it to capitalize on market weaknesses.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USF USFD US Foods Holding Corp. | $23.6B | 19.3x | +6.0% | 1.4% | Buy | +17.7% |
SYY SYY Sysco Corporation | $35.1B | 16.0x | +3.8% | 2.1% | Buy | +23.3% |
PFG PFGC Performance Food Group Company | $14.6B | 19.9x | +9.1% | 0.5% | Buy | +20.3% |
CHE CHEF The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. | $3.3B | 36.7x | +14.0% | 1.9% | Buy | +4.0% |
UNF UNFI United Natural Foods, Inc. | $3.3B | 20.2x | +2.4% | -0.2% | Hold | -23.4% |
WDF WDFC WD-40 Company | $4.2B | 35.2x | +6.1% | 14.4% | Hold | +42.3% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
USFD returns 3.9% annually — null% through dividends and 3.9% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 25 analysts covering the stock, 19 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 6 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $108, implying +17.7% from the current price of $92.
The Wall Street consensus price target for USFD is $108 based on 25 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $117 (+27.1% from today), and the low-end target is $94 (+2.1%). The base case model target is $119.
USFD trades at 19.3x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals slightly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for USFD in 2026 are: (1) High Debt Load — US Foods carries a substantial debt of $5. (2) Negative Tangible Book Value — The company has a negative tangible book value of -$1. (3) Competition — US Foods faces increased competition in the food distribution sector, which could pressure margins and market share. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates USFD will report consensus revenue of $41.4B (+6.0% year-over-year) and EPS of $3.36 (+37.5% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $43.7B in revenue.
US Foods Holding Corp. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-07. Consensus expects EPS of $0.82 and revenue of $9.6B. Over recent quarters, USFD has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time.
US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD) generated $978M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 2.5%. USFD returns capital to shareholders through and share repurchases ($926M TTM).