Stock Traders Buy High Volume of United Parcel Service Call Options (NYSE:UPS)

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) saw some unusual options trading on Monday. Traders purchased 40,803 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 47% compared to the typical daily volume of 27,799 call options.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock traded up $2.04 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $136.30. 4,115,558 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,278,704. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. United Parcel Service has a 12-month low of $123.12 and a 12-month high of $163.82. The stock's 50 day moving average is $128.57 and its 200 day moving average is $138.24. The company has a market cap of $116.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.20). The company had revenue of $21.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.17 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.87% and a return on equity of 35.27%. United Parcel Service's revenue was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.54 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that United Parcel Service will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Monday, August 19th were paid a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.78%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 19th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 94.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was bought at an average price of $128.61 per share, with a total value of $643,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $663,627.60. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,218,714 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $10,568,798,000 after buying an additional 178,394 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 87.6% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,152,900 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,854,180,000 after acquiring an additional 8,475,698 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 6,671,306 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $991,556,000 after purchasing an additional 406,248 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,490,712 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $888,254,000 after purchasing an additional 20,426 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,144,372 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $567,157,000 after purchasing an additional 393,434 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UPS. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $159.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $120.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $145.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, TD Cowen assumed coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $144.00 price objective on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $149.68.

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.