United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price Down 0.2% on Analyst Downgrade

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares dropped 0.2% on Thursday after TD Cowen lowered their price target on the stock from $147.00 to $140.00. TD Cowen currently has a hold rating on the stock. United Parcel Service traded as low as $146.64 and last traded at $146.97. Approximately 972,945 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 78% from the average daily volume of 4,356,057 shares. The stock had previously closed at $147.33.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on UPS. Evercore ISI reissued an “in-line” rating and set a $154.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Wednesday. Susquehanna reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on United Parcel Service from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Argus lowered shares of United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Raymond James decreased their price target 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $166.48.

Insider Activity

In other United Parcel Service news, Director Eva C. Boratto bought 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the second quarter worth $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the third quarter valued at $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Finally, Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.8 %

The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $150.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $152.28. The company has a market cap of $126.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.87, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.05.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $24.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.62 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.39%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 83.70%.

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.