Stifel Nicolaus Cuts United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Price Target to $124.00

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) had its price objective lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $145.00 to $124.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the transportation company’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Baird R W downgraded United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $110.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup cut 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, April 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $113.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $120.87.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.8 %

Shares of UPS stock opened at $96.33 on Wednesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $106.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $120.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.28 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23. 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 has a 1-year low of $90.55 and a 1-year high of $153.42.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $21.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The business’s revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.43 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.81%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 95.63%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth about $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

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.