United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) have earned an average rating of “Hold” from the thirty brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, sixteen have issued a hold recommendation, eleven have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $112.8125.

UPS has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. DA Davidson reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Argus reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. UBS Group reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $118.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Stifel Canada reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $124.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, CEO Carol B. Tome purchased 11,682 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at $2,117,591.06. This trade represents a 89.61% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 10,160 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $878,840. This represents a 96.90% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 110.1% in the 2nd quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 525.0% in the 1st quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS opened at $86.9280 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $73.68 billion, a PE ratio of 12.94, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.12. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $96.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $102.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.32. United Parcel Service has a 1 year low of $84.28 and a 1 year high of $145.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.56 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.90 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.34% and a return on equity of 39.61%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.79 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.5%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 97.62%.

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.