Stephens Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) had its price target hoisted by equities researchers at Stephens from $113.00 to $115.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “equal weight” rating on the transportation company’s stock. Stephens’ price target would suggest a potential upside of 8.64% from the stock’s current price.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. HSBC upgraded United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $115.22.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $105.86 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $101.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $93.56. United Parcel Service has a 52-week low of $82.00 and a 52-week high of $123.70. The company has a market cap of $89.81 billion, a PE ratio of 16.14, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.18. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. The company had revenue of $24.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.75 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total value of $2,655,236.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 23.5% in the fourth quarter. Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. now owns 12,027 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,193,000 after purchasing an additional 2,290 shares during the last quarter. Anchyra Partners LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $767,000. Aprio Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $336,000. Camelot Portfolios LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $79,000. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 183.2% during the 4th quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 1,065 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $106,000 after acquiring an additional 689 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting United Parcel Service

Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and stronger 2026 guide — UPS reported EPS and revenue above estimates and guided to higher 2026 revenue, giving fundamental support to the stock. UPS forecasts higher 2026 revenue
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple analyst upgrades and higher price targets — firms including Jefferies, Truist, UBS, Oppenheimer and others raised targets and ratings, signaling expectations for margin recovery and revenue growth. Analyst Coverage roundup
• Positive Sentiment: High yield and shareholder returns — UPS is highlighting a sizable quarterly dividend (annualized yield ~6%) and ongoing buybacks, which attract income‑oriented investors while management reshapes the network. MarketBeat accumulation thesis
• Positive Sentiment: Susquehanna lifts price target — analyst Bascome Majors raised his UPS target to $115 while keeping a Neutral rating, reflecting steadier near‑term parcel demand. Susquehanna Lifts UPS Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity — heavy call buying after earnings indicates short‑term bullish positioning by some traders. Investors Purchase Large Volume of UPS Call Options
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry operational note — FedEx plans to return MD‑11 freighters to service after the UPS MD‑11 accident, keeping sector safety and regulatory items under watch. FedEx MD‑11 return plan
• Neutral Sentiment: Retirement of specific aircraft fleet tied to Louisville crash — reputational and operational effects are still unfolding and may influence costs or insurance exposure. UPS retires fleet involved in Louisville crash
• Negative Sentiment: Major restructuring — UPS plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs and close 24 facilities while reducing lower‑margin Amazon volumes, a move that reduces cost but raises near‑term execution risk and transition costs. UPS to cut up to 30,000 jobs
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling — director Norman M. Brothers Jr. sold ~25,000 shares at roughly $106; while common for individuals, it can amplify negative sentiment. Insider sale SEC filing

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.