United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Rating Upgraded by HSBC

HSBC upgraded shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. They currently have $170.00 target price on the transportation company's stock, up from their previous target price of $150.00.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on UPS. TheStreet raised United Parcel Service from a c rating to a b- rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $183.00 to $179.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an in-line rating and set a $154.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Bank of America upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $166.96.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of UPS traded up $0.83 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $147.45. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,553,246 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,351,563. The firm has a market cap of $125.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.05. United Parcel Service has a 1-year low of $133.68 and a 1-year high of $192.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The company has a 50 day moving average of $149.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $151.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $21.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.84 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.42% and a net margin of 6.60%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.20 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 8.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a $1.63 dividend. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.42%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 94.49%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. MWA Asset Management bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the third quarter worth $2,125,000. Chesapeake Wealth Management raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.3% during the third quarter. Chesapeake Wealth Management now owns 7,886 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,229,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 13.1% during the fourth quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 387,381 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $60,908,000 after acquiring an additional 44,721 shares during the last quarter. CapWealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. CapWealth Advisors LLC now owns 58,184 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $9,148,000 after acquiring an additional 686 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Telos Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.0% during the third quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 74,337 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $11,587,000 after acquiring an additional 740 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.