United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Cut to Hold at StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Thursday.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on UPS. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price 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. Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a report on Friday, January 31st. Truist Financial started coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, March 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $131.32.

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United Parcel Service Stock Performance

United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.39 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $96.95. 5,542,916 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,808,906. United Parcel Service has a 12-month low of $90.55 and a 12-month high of $153.42. The business's 50-day moving average is $112.11 and its 200-day moving average is $123.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.81 billion, a PE ratio of 14.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 quarter last year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.77%. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

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.