United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Up 0.4% – Still a Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares were up 0.4% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $133.40 and last traded at $133.12. Approximately 621,404 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 4,157,167 shares. The stock had previously closed at $132.64.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UPS. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Barclays restated an “underweight” rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Monday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on 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. StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $144.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.52.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.1 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The business has a 50-day moving average of $132.50 and a 200 day moving average of $134.76. The company has a market capitalization of $114.84 billion, a PE ratio of 20.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. The company had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.57 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.86%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is presently 98.49%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the period. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 291.7% in the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 720.0% during the 3rd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.