United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Up 0.1%

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) was up 0.1% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $146.54 and last traded at $145.11. Approximately 654,504 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 4,287,065 shares. The stock had previously closed at $144.91.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on UPS shares. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 27th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $178.00 to $170.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Argus cut United Parcel Service from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, TheStreet raised United Parcel Service from a "c" rating to a "b-" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $165.61.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $149.70 and a 200-day moving average of $151.57. The company has a market cap of $123.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.46% and a net margin of 7.37%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.62 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.21 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.50%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 83.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $199,220. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. increased its position in United Parcel Service by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Hedge funds and other 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.