United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading Down 0.2% – Here’s What Happened

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s share price traded down 0.2% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $117.68 and last traded at $117.83. 647,350 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 6,419,742 shares. The stock had previously closed at $118.11.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. UBS Group reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets raised United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

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 company has a market cap of $99.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.28, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $122.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $128.27.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm posted $2.47 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.62%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. 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.