UBS Group Issues Pessimistic Forecast for United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) had its price target decreased by UBS Group from $141.00 to $127.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. UBS Group currently has a buy rating on the transportation company’s stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Wolfe Research raised United Parcel Service from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $147.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Loop Capital lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of 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, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $133.18.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 9.2 %

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $100.11 on Thursday. 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 has a 12-month low of $99.97 and a 12-month high of $154.29. The company has a market capitalization of $85.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.81, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $116.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $125.86.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 business posted $2.47 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.55%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. IFS Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.