United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 0.7% - Should You Sell?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) traded down 0.7% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $127.55 and last traded at $127.61. 709,059 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 4,174,933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $128.55.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on UPS. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Barclays restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Monday, October 21st. StockNews.com raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $144.00 price objective on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $151.29.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $132.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $132.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $108.63 billion, a PE ratio of 19.23, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $22.10 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.57 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.12%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 98.49%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 291.7% during the 2nd quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 168.5% in the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 408.2% in the 3rd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 720.0% during the 3rd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

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.