United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $138.09.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $119.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 1,074.8% during the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 31,249 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,260,000 after acquiring an additional 28,589 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 40.6% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 249,530 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $34,021,000 after purchasing an additional 71,996 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 13.8% during the third quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 16,940 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,310,000 after buying an additional 2,060 shares in the last quarter. Atlanta Consulting Group Advisors LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 26.6% during the third quarter. Atlanta Consulting Group Advisors LLC now owns 16,484 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,247,000 after buying an additional 3,467 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Bridge Advisors lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 1.9% during the third quarter. Tower Bridge Advisors now owns 39,601 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $5,399,000 after buying an additional 737 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.5 %

NYSE UPS opened at $115.25 on Monday. 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 has a 1 year low of $109.40 and a 1 year high of $157.99. The business’s 50-day moving average is $120.13 and its 200 day moving average is $127.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.44 billion, a PE ratio of 17.05, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 last year, the business earned $2.47 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.69%. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.04%.

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.