United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Raised to "Hold" at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• United Parcel Service (UPS) was upgraded from a "sell" to a "hold" rating by Wall Street Zen, reflecting a more positive outlook from the brokerage.
• Several brokerages have adjusted their price targets for UPS, with Stifel Nicolaus lowering it to $120.00 while Oppenheimer and Wells Fargo have also revised theirs downwards.
• Insider transactions show significant stock purchases, with CEO Carol B. Tome and Director William R. Johnson increasing their holdings, signaling confidence in the company's future.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued on Sunday.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Barclays cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Susquehanna lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wolfe Research lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $120.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Vertical Research restated a "hold" rating and issued a $103.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $112.59.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.48 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $84.96. 8,580,388 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,905,999. The stock has a market cap of $72.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.32. United Parcel Service has a 52-week low of $83.67 and a 52-week high of $145.01. The firm's 50 day moving average is $93.18 and its 200 day moving average is $99.96.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $86.50 per share, for a total transaction of $432,500.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 10,160 shares in the company, valued at $878,840. This represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome bought 11,682 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at $2,117,591.06. The trade was a 89.61% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have purchased 17,182 shares of company stock worth $1,477,382. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 63.8% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,529,000 after purchasing an additional 4,723 shares during the period. Ethic Inc. lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 25.0% during the 4th quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 26,365 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $3,325,000 after purchasing an additional 5,269 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 57.2% in the 4th quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 220,698 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,830,000 after buying an additional 80,290 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 16.5% in the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 424,912 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $53,808,000 after buying an additional 60,026 shares during the period. Finally, Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 103.9% in the 4th quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 50,757 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $6,400,000 after buying an additional 25,861 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

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.