United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Up 0.8% - Time to Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) was up 0.8% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $130.40 and last traded at $129.50. Approximately 1,374,033 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 67% from the average daily volume of 4,148,286 shares. The stock had previously closed at $128.53.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UPS. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. They set a "hold" rating and a $144.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Argus raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $151.29.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.3 %

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 market capitalization of $111.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.56, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $133.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $132.96.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $22.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.01%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of United Parcel Service 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. The trade was a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Diversified Trust Co raised its position in United Parcel Service by 36.5% in the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 16,157 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,211,000 after purchasing an additional 4,324 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 401,463 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $54,940,000 after acquiring an additional 31,639 shares during the period. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. grew its position in United Parcel Service by 154.1% in the 2nd quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 34,706 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $4,750,000 after acquiring an additional 21,048 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 872.8% in the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 3,220 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $438,000 after purchasing an additional 2,889 shares during the period. Finally, Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.8% during the second quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,690 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,189,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently 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.

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