United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading Up 1.3% - Here's What Happened

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) traded up 1.3% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $115.60 and last traded at $115.70. 1,061,035 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average session volume of 6,651,150 shares. The stock had previously closed at $114.26.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UPS has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Argus raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. StockNews.com raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.7 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $124.29 and a 200-day moving average of $128.67. The company has a market capitalization of $98.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 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 posted 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 net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.99 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. 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 5.68%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 96.45%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. The trade was a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 171 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.