United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Given Average Recommendation of "Hold" by Analysts

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Hold" from the twenty-nine analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, fourteen have issued a hold recommendation, twelve have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $112.5938.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on UPS. BNP Paribas raised United Parcel Service to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 1st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $120.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Galvan Research lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $107.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 8th.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.6%

UPS stock opened at $84.96 on Monday. United Parcel Service has a twelve month low of $83.67 and a twelve month high of $145.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The stock has a market cap of $72.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.64, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.08. The business's 50-day moving average price is $93.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $99.85.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.56 by ($0.01). United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.34% and a return on equity of 39.61%. The company had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.79 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.7%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 97.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other United Parcel Service news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 10,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Christiana Smith Shi purchased 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 500 shares in the company, valued at $44,085. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have acquired 17,182 shares of company stock valued at $1,477,382. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Gallacher Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $620,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 61.3% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,576 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $173,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares in the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,467 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $381,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Resource Council purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $437,000. 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.

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