United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Research Coverage Started at Citizens Jmp

Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm issued a market perform rating on the transportation company’s stock.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on UPS. Citigroup lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings raised United Parcel Service from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. Evercore decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $113.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Stephens upgraded United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $111.10.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of UPS opened at $117.77 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $100.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21. United Parcel Service has a 52 week low of $82.00 and a 52 week high of $122.41. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $106.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.94% and a return on equity of 35.95%. The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.99 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.49 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.1 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Monday, May 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 106.15%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 77.8% during the fourth quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About United Parcel Service

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.