United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 0.6% Higher - Still a Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.6% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $115.78 and last traded at $115.25. 1,793,165 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 6,628,404 shares. The stock had previously closed at $114.58.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on UPS shares. Argus raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Baird R W cut shares of United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.2 %

The business's 50 day moving average price is $123.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The company has a market cap of $99.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.21, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 previous year, the firm posted $2.47 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.64%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 97.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the firm's 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 transaction, the insider now directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.