United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) have earned an average rating of “Hold” from the twenty-three analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, ten have given a hold recommendation, seven have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $111.10.

UPS has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Stephens upgraded United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Evercore cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $113.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 77.8% during the fourth quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.7%

UPS stock traded up $1.88 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $112.61. The company had a trading volume of 3,408,694 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,506,363. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $105.35 and a 200 day moving average of $105.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.21. United Parcel Service has a 12 month low of $82.00 and a 12 month high of $122.41. The company has a market capitalization of $95.72 billion, a PE ratio of 18.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.05.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.99 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.95% and a net margin of 5.94%.United Parcel Service’s quarterly revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.49 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 7.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Monday, May 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 106.15%.

United Parcel Service News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup raised its price target on UPS to $132 and reiterated a buy rating, while Stephens upgraded the stock to strong-buy, signaling Wall Street sees more upside. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: UPS was added to the Russell 1000 Value Defensive and Russell 1000 Defensive indexes, which can support demand from index-focused investors and highlight the stock’s defensive appeal. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call option buying suggests traders are positioning for continued gains in UPS shares.
• Positive Sentiment: Several articles pointed to UPS’s strong earnings-beat history and growing investor attention ahead of the next quarterly report, reinforcing expectations for another solid print. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: UPS is reshaping its network, likely as part of ongoing operational efficiency efforts, but the article did not indicate an immediate material financial impact. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: UPS and FedEx remaining top logistics companies by market cap is a reminder of the company’s scale, but this is more a sector ranking than a stock-moving catalyst. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General flagged UPS’s air cargo contract with USPS, urging a re-evaluation over volume-guarantee risks and even possible termination if issues are not addressed, which adds uncertainty around parcel volumes and contract revenue. Article Title

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.