United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 1.1% - Here's Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares dropped 1.1% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $94.90 and last traded at $95.43. Approximately 904,661 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 4,806,909 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.50.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on UPS. Baird R W downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Raymond James reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $129.70.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 2.3 %

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 stock has a 50-day moving average of $110.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $122.74. The company has a market cap of $82.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10.

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

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a $1.64 dividend. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 97.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in 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 period. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.