Ultrapar Participações (NYSE:UGP) Raised to Buy at HSBC

Ultrapar Participações (NYSE:UGP - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at HSBC from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report issued on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports.

A number of other research analysts have also commented on UGP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Ultrapar Participações from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Ultrapar Participações from $4.80 to $4.10 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Scotiabank upgraded Ultrapar Participações to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, December 27th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Ultrapar Participações from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $4.10.

Ultrapar Participações Price Performance

Ultrapar Participações stock traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $2.66. 881,537 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,729,843. Ultrapar Participações has a 1-year low of $2.53 and a 1-year high of $6.34. The firm has a market cap of $2.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.52. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $2.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ultrapar Participações

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of UGP. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ultrapar Participações in the third quarter worth about $46,000. Freedom Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participações in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $48,000. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in Ultrapar Participações by 67.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 16,017 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 6,476 shares during the period. PDS Planning Inc grew its position in Ultrapar Participações by 90.2% during the 3rd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 21,408 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 10,153 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Ultrapar Participações by 109.2% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 33,124 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $130,000 after purchasing an additional 17,291 shares during the period. 3.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ultrapar Participações Company Profile

Ultrapar Participações SA, through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services.