United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 1.2% - What's Next?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report)'s share price fell 1.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $97.28 and last traded at $97.54. 1,315,132 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 4,799,023 shares. The stock had previously closed at $98.67.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Galvan Research lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $133.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Loop Capital lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Truist Financial started coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, March 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $129.70.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $82.29 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $110.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 in the prior year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Diamant Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,060 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $554,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd grew its position in United Parcel Service by 12.2% during the third quarter. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd now owns 17,236 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,337,000 after acquiring an additional 1,880 shares during the period. Eaton Financial Holdings Company LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the third quarter worth about $1,021,000. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 25.9% in the 3rd quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 26,457 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $3,607,000 after purchasing an additional 5,444 shares during the period. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 79.6% in the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 17,675 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,410,000 after purchasing an additional 7,836 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.