Brokerages Set United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Target Price at $131.32

Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-four ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $131.32.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UPS. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Susquehanna decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 31st.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of UPS stock opened at $96.95 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. United Parcel Service has a fifty-two week low of $90.55 and a fifty-two week high of $153.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $112.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $123.91.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.47 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.77%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.04%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About United Parcel Service

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.