United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Up 1% – Time to Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares were up 1% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $118.18 and last traded at $117.97. Approximately 707,040 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 4,420,066 shares. The stock had previously closed at $116.76.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on UPS shares. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $138.09.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.7 %

The firm has a market cap of $101.51 billion, a PE ratio of 17.58, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $120.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $127.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.52%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $300,000. 111 Capital acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $975,000. Centaurus Financial Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 5,281 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $666,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Wealthedge Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,768,000. Finally, Aegis Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $352,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

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.