United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Given “In-Line” Rating at Evercore ISI

Evercore ISI reaffirmed their in-line rating on shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. Evercore ISI currently has a $154.00 target price on the transportation company’s stock.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $147.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $156.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $166.81.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 2.5 %

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $147.33 on Wednesday. United Parcel Service has a 1 year low of $133.68 and a 1 year high of $197.80. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $150.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $152.28. The firm has a market cap of $125.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.46 by $0.01. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The firm had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.62 earnings per share. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service will post 8.29 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.43%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 83.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto bought 1,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. 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.