The Goldman Sachs Group Cuts United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Price Target to $147.00

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) had its price target reduced by The Goldman Sachs Group from $166.00 to $147.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the transportation company's stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on UPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Monday, October 21st. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $141.95.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

UPS stock traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $114.19. The stock had a trading volume of 15,842,034 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,791,747. United Parcel Service has a 52 week low of $109.62 and a 52 week high of $158.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $128.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of $130.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $97.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.00.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released 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 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.47 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service will post 7.5 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.71%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the period. IFS Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 720.0% in the 3rd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 408.2% in the 3rd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter worth $36,000. 60.26% of the stock is 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.