Citigroup Begins Coverage on United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS)

Citigroup began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) in a report published on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $162.00 price target on the transportation company’s stock.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on UPS. TD Cowen initiated coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a hold rating and a $144.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $159.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $120.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $145.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $151.24.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.3 %

UPS opened at $134.60 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $115.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.99. United Parcel Service has a 52 week low of $123.12 and a 52 week high of $163.82. The business’s 50 day moving average is $129.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is $137.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.20). The company had revenue of $21.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.17 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.87% and a return on equity of 35.27%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.54 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 7.42 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th were given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 19th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.84%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 106.36%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $128.61 per share, for a total transaction of $643,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,160 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $663,627.60. The trade was a 3,100.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Natixis purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth about $121,000. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 26.4% during the third quarter. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,357 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,503,000 after buying an additional 3,835 shares during the period. Financial Partners Group LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 23.9% during the second quarter. Financial Partners Group LLC now owns 26,319 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,602,000 after buying an additional 5,069 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 12.3% during the first quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 59,567 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $8,853,000 after buying an additional 6,502 shares during the period. Finally, Nvwm LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 3.7% during the first quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 2,685 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $399,000 after buying an additional 96 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.