United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Up 0.6% – Here’s Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s stock price rose 0.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $115.78 and last traded at $115.25. Approximately 1,793,165 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 6,628,404 shares. The stock had previously closed at $114.58.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Susquehanna reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Baird R W downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The business’s 50 day moving average is $123.71 and its 200-day moving average is $128.48. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.24, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.47 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.63%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 67,015 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $8,451,000 after acquiring an additional 4,935 shares during the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 40.5% in the fourth quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,242 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $535,000 after purchasing an additional 1,223 shares during the last quarter. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,157,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Parr Mcknight Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $265,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.