United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading Up 0.6% - Here's Why

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shot up 0.6% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $116.76 and last traded at $116.37. 5,937,801 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 22% from the average session volume of 7,571,378 shares. The stock had previously closed at $115.64.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UPS. Citigroup decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Finally, Argus upgraded United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $123.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $128.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.24, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.98.

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 for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.47 EPS. Sell-side 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 firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.63%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.04%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service 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 stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the sale, the insider now 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 SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 15,779.6% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 14,631,461 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,994,853,000 after purchasing an additional 14,539,321 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,075,393,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $393,680,000. Two Sigma Advisers LP grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 833.4% during 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position 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 worth $232,959,000 after buying an additional 1,620,091 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.