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

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) rose 0.6% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $126.96 and last traded at $126.96. Approximately 473,507 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 89% from the average daily volume of 4,204,531 shares. The stock had previously closed at $126.26.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UPS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on 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, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $151.29.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.1 %

The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $131.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $132.11. The company has a market cap of $107.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $22.10 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. The business's revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.16%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 98.49%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 397.7% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the period. Centerpoint Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 291.7% during the 2nd quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 168.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 408.2% in the third quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 720.0% in the 3rd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other 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.