United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 3.2% - Should You Sell?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares traded down 3.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $95.96 and last traded at $96.46. 969,330 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 4,767,030 shares. The stock had previously closed at $99.66.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UPS shares. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Raymond James lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Evercore ISI lifted 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 research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Two investment 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $131.32.

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United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $82.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $112.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $123.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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 net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.47 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. Diamant Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 2.8% during the third quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,060 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $554,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd now owns 17,236 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,337,000 after acquiring an additional 1,880 shares during the period. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,021,000. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 26,457 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,607,000 after acquiring an additional 5,444 shares during the period. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 79.6% during the third quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 17,675 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,410,000 after purchasing an additional 7,836 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

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.