United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 2.3% Higher - What's Next?

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) were up 2.3% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $97.32 and last traded at $96.34. Approximately 4,738,497 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 2% from the average daily volume of 4,826,073 shares. The stock had previously closed at $94.20.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. Citigroup dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 31st. UBS Group cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Two equities research 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $129.70.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $110.40 and a 200 day moving average of $122.61. The stock has a market cap of $82.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.24, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share 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 in the previous year, the business posted $2.47 EPS. As a group, sell-side 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.81%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.04%.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

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