United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 1.2%

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report)'s share price fell 1.2% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $142.80 and last traded at $143.06. 689,081 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 84% from the average session volume of 4,273,146 shares. The stock had previously closed at $144.85.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on UPS. TD Cowen decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Raymond James decreased their target price 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. Finally, Susquehanna reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $165.61.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.3 %

The company has a market capitalization of $121.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.36, a PEG 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. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $149.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $151.49.

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

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Parcel Service news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Aspire Private Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Aspire Private Capital LLC now owns 18,392 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,568,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position 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 valued at $2,756,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Field & Main Bank lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 3,840 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $599,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. First Financial Corp IN lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 24.2% during the 4th quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 334 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gleason Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.1% in the 4th 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. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.