United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 0.4% Higher Following Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) traded up 0.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $98.80 and last traded at $97.46. 3,525,772 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 45% from the average session volume of 6,366,505 shares. The stock had previously closed at $97.09.

The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $21.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.73%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup reduced their target price on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. 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 report on Friday, January 31st. Baird R W cut United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 31st. Finally, Loop Capital cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $126.41.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.3 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The business has a 50-day moving average of $108.22 and a 200-day moving average of $121.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.42, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10.

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.

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