United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Up 2.8% - Time to Buy?

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shot up 2.8% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $99.77 and last traded at $99.77. 820,708 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 4,796,508 shares. The stock had previously closed at $97.08.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. Galvan Research dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $133.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Robert W. Baird lowered United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $129.70.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 2.3 %

The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.29 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $110.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $122.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 quarter last year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.81%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Partners Group LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 164.3% in the 1st quarter. Financial Partners Group LLC now owns 90,997 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $10,009,000 after purchasing an additional 56,569 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 24.3% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,454 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,370,000 after buying an additional 2,438 shares during the last quarter. Clarius Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.4% during the first quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 2,748 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Bell Bank lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 9.5% during the 1st quarter. Bell Bank now owns 74,230 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $8,165,000 after acquiring an additional 6,424 shares during the period. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 146.9% in the 1st quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 1,894 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $208,000 after acquiring an additional 1,127 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.