United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 0.9% Following Analyst Downgrade

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares were down 0.9% during mid-day trading on Friday after StockNews.com downgraded the stock from a buy rating to a hold rating. The company traded as low as $97.13 and last traded at $98.05. Approximately 1,005,743 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 79% from the average daily volume of 4,814,177 shares. The stock had previously closed at $98.92.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Robert W. Baird cut United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and issued a $98.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $126.41.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 525.0% in the 1st quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $82.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $108.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $121.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $21.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The business's revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.78%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.04%.

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.