United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 1.4% Higher - Here's Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report)'s stock price rose 1.4% on Friday . The company traded as high as $124.75 and last traded at $124.37. Approximately 2,022,149 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average daily volume of 4,188,612 shares. The stock had previously closed at $122.65.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Argus raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $151.29.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 2.5 %

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 stock has a market cap of $107.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.98, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.98. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $132.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $132.46.

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

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.19%. United Parcel Service's 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 company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of UPS. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 15,779.6% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 14,631,461 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,994,853,000 after acquiring an additional 14,539,321 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 284.8% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,569,831 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $351,681,000 after purchasing an additional 1,901,914 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP raised its position in United Parcel Service by 833.4% in the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 2,074,100 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $282,783,000 after purchasing an additional 1,851,900 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 1,061.1% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,772,765 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $232,959,000 after purchasing an additional 1,620,091 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 6.4% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,927,607 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,989,609,000 after buying an additional 1,320,921 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.