United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Analysts

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) have received a consensus recommendation of “Hold” from the twenty-eight ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $113.6667.

UPS has been the subject of several analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $85.00 target price for the company. in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Wolfe Research reiterated a “peer perform” rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Evercore lifted their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $120.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:UPS opened at $98.30 on Friday. United Parcel Service has a 12-month low of $82.00 and a 12-month high of $122.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $83.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $107.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $99.00.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.18. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. The company had revenue of $24.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.91 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.75 earnings per share. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total value of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 77.8% in the fourth quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.