United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Cut to “Hold” at StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Tuesday morning.

UPS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Loop Capital cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two 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 data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

UPS opened at $117.61 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $122.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $128.11. The stock has a market cap of $100.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98. United Parcel Service has a 1-year low of $109.40 and a 1-year high of $158.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 period last year, the business earned $2.47 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued 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 is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.58%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. AMF Tjanstepension AB increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 39.7% in the 3rd quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 108,360 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $14,793,000 after purchasing an additional 30,815 shares in the last quarter. Old Port Advisors grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 119.4% in the third quarter. Old Port Advisors now owns 22,526 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,071,000 after buying an additional 12,259 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 1,408.3% during the 3rd quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC now owns 32,776 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,368,000 after buying an additional 30,603 shares during the period. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 87.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. now owns 118,652 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $16,177,000 after acquiring an additional 55,198 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 19.9% in the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 3,151 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $430,000 after acquiring an additional 523 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.