United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 0.3% Higher – Here’s Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares rose 0.3% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $109.49 and last traded at $109.61. Approximately 638,928 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 4,655,458 shares. The stock had previously closed at $109.26.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UPS. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI raised their price target 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. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $129.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $135.83.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $117.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $126.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The company has a market cap of $94.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share 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 period last year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About United Parcel Service

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.