United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 0.2% Higher

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shot up 0.2% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $143.31 and last traded at $142.47. 546,052 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 4,269,892 shares. The stock had previously closed at $142.25.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $178.00 to $170.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. Redburn Atlantic upgraded United Parcel Service from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $180.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 3rd. Susquehanna reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. Evercore ISI reiterated an "in-line" rating and issued a $154.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Wednesday, March 27th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $165.61.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.3 %

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $149.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $151.28. The company has a market capitalization of $121.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.32, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10.

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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The business's quarterly revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.62 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.57%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 83.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $199,220. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Aspire Private Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.3% in the first quarter. Aspire Private Capital LLC now owns 18,392 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,568,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 17,530 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,756,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. First Financial Corp IN grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 24.2% in the fourth quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 334 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Gleason Group Inc. raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Gleason Group Inc. now owns 6,351 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $999,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Finally, Cullen Investment Group LTD. raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 0.7% during the first quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. now owns 9,921 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,480,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.