United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Trading 0.3% Higher – Should You Buy?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s stock price shot up 0.3% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $109.49 and last traded at $109.61. 638,928 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 86% from the average session volume of 4,655,458 shares. The stock had previously closed at $109.26.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on UPS. Truist Financial began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $135.83.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.7 %

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $117.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $126.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 last year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.96%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its stake in 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 buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.