United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 0.2% – Here’s What Happened

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) shares were down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $132.04 and last traded at $133.38. Approximately 657,577 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 4,162,355 shares. The stock had previously closed at $133.68.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on UPS. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. UBS Group lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $142.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $151.52.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The company has a market capitalization of $114.27 billion, a PE ratio of 20.15, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $132.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $134.88.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released 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 company 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 in the previous year, the firm earned $1.57 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.89%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 98.49%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the second quarter worth about $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 291.7% in the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 720.0% during the third quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 168.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.