United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Cut to “Hold” at StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Wednesday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $98.00 price target (down previously from $120.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Raymond James lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Wolfe Research reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $113.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $120.87.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $95.92 on Wednesday. United Parcel Service has a 12-month low of $90.55 and a 12-month high of $153.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $104.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $118.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.93 billion, a PE ratio of 14.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $21.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.84%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 95.63%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. 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.