United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 0.8% - Here's Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 0.8% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $126.07 and last traded at $126.28. Approximately 634,819 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 4,172,132 shares. The stock had previously closed at $127.32.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $151.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Argus raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $139.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $151.29.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 2.7 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $132.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $132.59. The firm has a market cap of $105.66 billion, a PE ratio of 18.70, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.13. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. The company had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.57 EPS. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.27%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 98.49%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 15,779.6% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 14,631,461 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,994,853,000 after acquiring an additional 14,539,321 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 284.8% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,569,831 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $351,681,000 after purchasing an additional 1,901,914 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 833.4% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 2,074,100 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $282,783,000 after purchasing an additional 1,851,900 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 1,061.1% during 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 purchasing an additional 1,620,091 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.4% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,927,607 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,989,609,000 after buying an additional 1,320,921 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.