Ultrapar Participações (NYSE:UGP) Shares Gap Up - Should You Buy?

Ultrapar Participações S.A. (NYSE:UGP - Get Free Report)'s share price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $2.58, but opened at $2.77. Ultrapar Participações shares last traded at $2.75, with a volume of 263,474 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on UGP shares. Scotiabank raised Ultrapar Participações to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, December 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Ultrapar Participações from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com cut Ultrapar Participações from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $5.20.

Ultrapar Participações Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $3.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $3.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.69.

Institutional Trading of Ultrapar Participações

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. D Orazio & Associates Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ultrapar Participações by 30.3% in the 2nd quarter. D Orazio & Associates Inc. now owns 15,046 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 3,498 shares during the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP grew its holdings in Ultrapar Participações by 19.4% during the third quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP now owns 38,120 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $148,000 after purchasing an additional 6,205 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Ultrapar Participações by 67.9% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 16,017 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 6,476 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Ultrapar Participações by 33.7% in the third quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 38,838 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $151,000 after purchasing an additional 9,794 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Ultrapar Participações by 26.0% during the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 48,712 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $189,000 after purchasing an additional 10,037 shares in the last quarter. 3.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Ultrapar Participações

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.