United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading Down 0.1% - Here's Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares fell 0.1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $129.43 and last traded at $129.77. 4,260,034 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 16% from the average session volume of 3,680,905 shares. The stock had previously closed at $129.94.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of 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. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $151.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Barclays reiterated an "underweight" rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $151.10.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.1 %

The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $110.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $128.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $130.87.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. The business had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.57 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 98.49%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. IFS Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. PSI Advisors LLC raised its position in United Parcel Service by 408.2% during the 3rd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC boosted 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 valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the third quarter worth $36,000. 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.