United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 0.4% After Analyst Downgrade

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s share price dropped 0.4% during trading on Wednesday after StockNews.com downgraded the stock from a buy rating to a hold rating. The stock traded as low as $90.55 and last traded at $91.58. Approximately 1,327,201 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average daily volume of 4,744,184 shares. The stock had previously closed at $91.92.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $129.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $147.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on United Parcel Service in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They set a “hold” rating and a $119.00 price target for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $131.32.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $112.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market cap of $82.36 billion, a PE ratio of 14.26, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 in the previous year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. Research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.80%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 97.04%.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

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.