United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 0.3% – Here’s Why

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares fell 0.3% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $122.76 and last traded at $123.51. 884,128 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 53% from the average session volume of 1,896,372 shares. The stock had previously closed at $123.87.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on UPS. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $132.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Argus upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays reiterated an “underweight” rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $139.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $151.10.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $130.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $131.69. The company has a market cap of $105.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14.

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

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.27%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 98.49%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Everence Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 70.3% during the 4th quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. now owns 21,350 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,692,000 after acquiring an additional 8,810 shares during the last quarter. Centre Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $9,530,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,494 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $819,000 after buying an additional 814 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,583 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $452,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in United Parcel Service by 4.3% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 829,280 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $113,064,000 after acquiring an additional 33,989 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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.