United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Reaches New 12-Month Low on Analyst Downgrade

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Monday after Susquehanna lowered their price target on the stock from $130.00 to $120.00. Susquehanna currently has a neutral rating on the stock. United Parcel Service traded as low as $108.30 and last traded at $109.33, with a volume of 623353 shares. The stock had previously closed at $109.66.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on UPS. Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Barclays dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on 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. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They set a "hold" rating and a $119.00 price objective for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $135.83.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew 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 worth $113,064,000 after acquiring an additional 33,989 shares during the period. Onyx Bridge Wealth Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $461,000. Synovus Financial Corp increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 87,531 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $11,934,000 after purchasing an additional 6,941 shares during the last quarter. HF Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,305,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 27.2% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 131,623 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $16,304,000 after buying an additional 28,108 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $93.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. 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 firm's 50-day moving average is $117.65 and its 200-day moving average is $126.15.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 in the prior year, the business posted $2.47 earnings per share. Analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

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.