United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Up 0.3% - Here's What Happened

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) rose 0.3% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $109.49 and last traded at $109.61. Approximately 638,928 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 4,655,458 shares. The stock had previously closed at $109.26.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets upgraded United Parcel Service from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. 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. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $129.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $135.83.

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United Parcel Service Trading Down 7.1 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market cap of $87.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The business's 50-day moving average price is $117.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $126.04.

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 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 quarter last year, the firm posted $2.47 EPS. Equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.41%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 97.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.