United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Up 1.5% Following Analyst Upgrade

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s share price rose 1.5% during trading on Thursday after UBS Group raised their price target on the stock from $124.00 to $125.00. UBS Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. United Parcel Service traded as high as $107.35 and last traded at $107.1910. 4,398,022 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 22% from the average daily volume of 5,619,028 shares. The stock had previously closed at $105.62.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on UPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $131.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $117.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $80.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, September 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $118.45.

United Parcel Service News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Earnings beat and higher guidance: UPS reported third-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.69 versus a $1.62 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 6.9% year over year to $22.90 billion. Management raised its 2026 revenue outlook to approximately $92.6 billion and operating-profit outlook to $8.75 billion. UPS Q3 Earnings Beat on Pricing, 2026 Outlook Raised
• Positive Sentiment: Margin and efficiency recovery: Stronger pricing, premium customer growth, network efficiencies and disciplined cost management improved profitability despite declining domestic package volume. Free cash flow reportedly increased 53.8%, supporting UPS’s dividend and potentially future share buybacks. UPS Q3 Earnings Call Highlights Margin Gains and Raised Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: UBS, Citigroup, Truist, Oppenheimer, Wells Fargo and Bank of America raised their UPS price targets following the results. Citigroup’s target increased to $131, while UBS set a $125 target and maintained a buy rating, reinforcing expectations for an earnings recovery.
• Positive Sentiment: Automation and higher-value growth: UPS expects machines to handle about 70% of packages during the holiday season. Automation, radio-frequency tracking and growth in health-care, data-center and other premium logistics services could protect margins as the company focuses on more profitable shipments. 70% of UPS Packages Will Be Handled by Machines This Holiday Season
• Neutral Sentiment: Holiday execution remains critical: The strategy depends on UPS achieving its margin targets during the peak shipping period. Investors will monitor whether automation offsets labor and operating costs while maintaining service quality.
• Negative Sentiment: Volume and valuation risks: Domestic package volumes continue to decline, and higher fuel surcharges, interest rates and geopolitical pressures could weigh on demand and costs. Barclays raised its target but retained an underweight rating at $95, highlighting continued skepticism about the recovery.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 262.7% during the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,046,707 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $327,521,000 after buying an additional 2,206,666 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 23.3% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 9,728,123 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $957,053,000 after buying an additional 1,836,651 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at about $192,304,000. Cullen Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $178,071,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 37.4% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,631,133 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $357,231,000 after purchasing an additional 988,442 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.5%

The firm has a market capitalization of $91.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.07. The business has a 50 day moving average of $98.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $104.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.18.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 27th. The transportation company reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.07. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.50% and a net margin of 5.08%. The firm had revenue of $22.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.27 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.74 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.19 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 17th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 17th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 121.93%.

About United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service, Inc (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and logistics company. Its services include the transportation and delivery of packages and freight, time-definite express delivery, supply chain management, customs brokerage, and logistics consulting. UPS serves businesses and consumers through ground, air, and international delivery networks.

The company operates across the United States and in international markets throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Canada, and other regions.