United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 0.8%

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares fell 0.8% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $145.39 and last traded at $145.44. 698,505 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average session volume of 4,314,821 shares. The stock had previously closed at $146.62.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UPS. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Raymond James lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $166.96.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.6 %

The stock’s fifty day moving average is $149.57 and its 200 day moving average is $151.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The company has a market capitalization of $125.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.05.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.10. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.60% and a return on equity of 37.42%. The company had revenue of $21.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.20 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 94.49%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $199,220. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Bourgeon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.