United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 2.5% Higher - Here's Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) shares shot up 2.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $102.82 and last traded at $103.38. 800,350 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 5,211,272 shares. The stock had previously closed at $100.85.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UPS. Wall Street Zen downgraded United Parcel Service from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Raymond James Financial lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $113.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Oppenheimer lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $114.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $107.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $119.13.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.3%

The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $99.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $109.23. The stock has a market cap of $86.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.82, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.21.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $21.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 40.15% and a net margin of 6.44%. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was down .9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.43 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 5th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.46%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 95.63%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other 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.