United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Down 3.2% – Time to Sell?

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s stock price fell 3.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $95.96 and last traded at $96.46. Approximately 969,330 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 4,767,030 shares. The stock had previously closed at $99.66.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on UPS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Citigroup decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $131.32.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 2.9 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $82.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.32, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The business’s 50 day moving average is $112.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $124.44. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. Analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $1.64 dividend. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.78%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 232.3% in 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. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

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.