Citigroup Has Lowered Expectations for United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) had its price target cut by Citigroup from $158.00 to $149.00 in a research report report published on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the transportation company's stock.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on UPS. Barclays restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $120.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Robert W. Baird cut shares of United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus decreased 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 report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $141.95.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UPS traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $114.19. 15,842,034 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,941,251. United Parcel Service has a twelve month low of $109.62 and a twelve month 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 company has a 50 day moving average price of $128.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $130.40. The stock has a market cap of $97.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.25, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.00.

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 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.47 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.5 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 453.6% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 537 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $73,000 after acquiring an additional 440 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 67.4% during the 2nd quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 745 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $102,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. AMF Tjanstepension AB grew its position in United Parcel Service by 39.7% in the 3rd quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 108,360 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $14,793,000 after purchasing an additional 30,815 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 7.4% in the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 149,220 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $20,345,000 after purchasing an additional 10,227 shares during the period. Finally, Farmers Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 14.1% during the third quarter. Farmers Trust Co. now owns 3,036 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $414,000 after buying an additional 375 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.