United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Receives Consensus Rating of “Hold” from Brokerages

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Hold” from the twenty-four brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have given a hold recommendation, eight have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $111.50.

Several research firms have weighed in on UPS. Citigroup raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $118.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Susquehanna raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Evercore lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $113.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Weiss Ratings cut United Parcel Service from a “hold (c)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 29th.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

NYSE:UPS opened at $107.85 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $102.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $103.84. United Parcel Service has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $122.41. The stock has a market cap of $91.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.45, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.95% and a net margin of 5.94%.The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. The company’s revenue was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 7.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Monday, May 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 106.15%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 77.8% during the 4th quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Torren Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.