United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 0.6% Higher – Here’s What Happened

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares rose 0.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $134.84 and last traded at $134.64. Approximately 449,198 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 89% from the average daily volume of 4,190,201 shares. The stock had previously closed at $133.80.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on UPS shares. Baird R W raised shares of United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $139.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $144.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.71.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $115.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.99. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $131.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $135.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.10 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.41 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Monday, August 19th were given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.85%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 19th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 291.7% during the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 720.0% during the third quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 168.5% in the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

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.