United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Rating Lowered by Robert W. Baird

Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have $130.00 price objective on the transportation company's stock, down from their prior price objective of $160.00.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on UPS. StockNews.com upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Wolfe Research raised United Parcel Service from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $147.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. UBS Group raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $141.95.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $114.19. 15,842,034 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,791,747. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $128.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $130.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. United Parcel Service has a 1-year low of $109.62 and a 1-year high of $158.95. The company has a market cap of $97.45 billion, a price-to-earnings 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 announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.47 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service will post 7.5 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.3% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 829,280 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $113,064,000 after purchasing an additional 33,989 shares during the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 87,531 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $11,934,000 after buying an additional 6,941 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 1,061.1% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,772,765 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $232,959,000 after acquiring an additional 1,620,091 shares during the period. HF Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,305,000. Finally, Cohen Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 26.4% during the third quarter. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,357 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,503,000 after acquiring an additional 3,835 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

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.