ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. has received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from seven brokerages, with an average twelve-month price target of $22.36.
• The company has recently announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.29 per share, with a payout ratio of 39.19% and a dividend yield of 312.0%.
• Institutional investments in ZTO have increased significantly, with smart funds raising their stakes by as much as 986.2% in some cases.

Shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the seven brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $22.36.

Several brokerages have issued reports on ZTO. Zacks Research upgraded ZTO Express (Cayman) from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in a research note on Friday. Bank of America lifted their target price on ZTO Express (Cayman) from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $24.20 price objective on ZTO Express (Cayman) in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Price Performance

ZTO Express (Cayman) stock opened at $19.19 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.48 billion, a PE ratio of 12.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.48 and a beta of -0.18. ZTO Express has a one year low of $16.34 and a one year high of $24.73. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $18.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $18.64.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 312.0%. ZTO Express (Cayman)'s payout ratio is 39.19%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ZTO. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 61.4% in the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,021 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 70.8% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 2,132 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 884 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 42.2% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,341 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 695 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 156.2% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,489 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 2,127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 986.2% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,856 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $68,000 after buying an additional 3,501 shares during the last quarter. 41.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About ZTO Express (Cayman)

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc provides express delivery and other value-added logistics services in the People's Republic of China. It offers freight forwarding services; and delivery services for e-commerce and traditional merchants, and other express service users. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

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