United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Announces Earnings Results

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Tuesday. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11, Zacks reports. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The business had revenue of $21.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.25 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.43 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down .9% on a year-over-year basis.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

NYSE:UPS traded up $1.73 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $96.33. The stock had a trading volume of 5,685,873 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,937,224. United Parcel Service has a 12 month low of $90.55 and a 12 month high of $153.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $106.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $120.52.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is 95.63%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $119.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 31st. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $120.87.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in United Parcel Service stock. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 63.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,126 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 4,723 shares during the quarter. Brighton Jones LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,529,000 at the end of the most recent reporting 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.