United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading Up 0.5% – Still a Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) rose 0.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $111.66 and last traded at $111.52. Approximately 752,158 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 4,463,004 shares. The stock had previously closed at $111.01.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Baird R W downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Wolfe Research raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $147.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $137.57.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $94.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $119.30 and a 200 day moving average of $126.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.47 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.92%. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.