United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Up 0.4% - Here's Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report)'s stock price rose 0.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $115.95 and last traded at $115.47. Approximately 1,044,423 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 6,493,049 shares. The stock had previously closed at $115.00.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UPS has been the subject of several research reports. Robert W. Baird lowered United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Loop Capital reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective 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, Evercore ISI raised their price objective on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. 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 issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.2 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $123.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $128.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.38 billion, a PE ratio of 17.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98. 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 announced its earnings results 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 return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.47 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued 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 5.64%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.04%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the sale, 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Putney Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $56,000. Aurdan Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $2,079,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 7.9% in the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 67,015 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $8,451,000 after purchasing an additional 4,935 shares during the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 40.5% in the fourth quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,242 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $535,000 after purchasing an additional 1,223 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $1,157,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by 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.