Traders Buy Large Volume of Call Options on United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS)

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Stock investors acquired 404,073 call options on the company. This is an increase of 587% compared to the typical daily volume of 58,787 call options.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UPS. Bank of America lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $103.00 to $97.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Stephens raised shares of United Parcel Service to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $110.00.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director Christiana Smith Shi acquired 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,085. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 110.1% during the second quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Hemington Wealth Management increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 68.9% in the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Salzhauer Michael purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 76.5% during the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 376 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $96.01. The stock had a trading volume of 6,570,608 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,901,376. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $87.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $92.92. The firm has a market cap of $81.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. United Parcel Service has a 12-month low of $82.00 and a 12-month high of $138.67.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.43. The firm had revenue of $21.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.94 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.15% and a return on equity of 40.07%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.76 EPS. United Parcel Service has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.8%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 101.39%.

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.