United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Now Covered by Analysts at Citigroup

Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $162.00 price objective on the transportation company’s stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $160.00 to $158.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. UBS Group decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $159.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $151.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $120.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $151.24.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $134.60 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. United Parcel Service has a fifty-two week low of $123.12 and a fifty-two week high of $163.82. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $129.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $137.03. The firm has a market cap of $115.30 billion, a PE ratio of 21.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.20). United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 5.87%. The company had revenue of $21.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.54 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Monday, August 19th were given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 19th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.84%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 106.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $128.61 per share, with a total value of $643,050.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 5,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $663,627.60. The trade was a 3,100.00 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Iams Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Iams Wealth Management LLC now owns 41,540 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $5,664,000 after buying an additional 885 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 3.5% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 245,539 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $33,412,000 after acquiring an additional 8,320 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the third quarter worth about $12,972,000. ORG Partners LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 3,390 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $463,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 4,163 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $568,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. 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.