United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading Up 1.3% - Time to Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares rose 1.3% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $120.98 and last traded at $120.53. Approximately 1,214,260 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 6,371,276 shares. The stock had previously closed at $119.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on UPS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Robert W. Baird lowered United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Wolfe Research raised United Parcel Service from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $147.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Susquehanna cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 2.0 %

The company has a market cap of $101.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $122.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $127.94. 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 EPS 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 in the previous year, the firm earned $2.47 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.51%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its holdings 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. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

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.