United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 0.2% - Here's What Happened

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) fell 0.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $125.45 and last traded at $125.79. 556,380 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 4,201,786 shares. The stock had previously closed at $126.10.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Argus upgraded United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $151.10.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.8 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market cap of $105.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $130.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $131.69.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. The business had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were paid a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.26%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 98.49%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. Cigna Investments Inc. New raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 1.0% during the third quarter. Cigna Investments Inc. New now owns 7,508 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,024,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. raised its position in United Parcel Service by 0.5% during the second quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 15,837 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,167,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 0.6% in the third quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 12,596 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,717,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Gleason Group Inc. grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Gleason Group Inc. now owns 6,576 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $897,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Tradewinds LLC. increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Tradewinds LLC. now owns 4,487 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $612,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.