United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Given New $156.00 Price Target at Stifel Nicolaus

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) had its price objective lifted by Stifel Nicolaus from $151.00 to $156.00 in a research report released on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the transportation company’s stock.

UPS has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Stephens dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $168.00 to $140.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $169.00 to $155.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $144.00 target price for the company. Baird R W upgraded shares of United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. They set a “buy” rating and a $162.00 price objective for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.43.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS stock opened at $137.43 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $117.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 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 company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.25. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $130.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $135.90.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.10 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.87% and a return on equity of 35.27%. The firm’s revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.57 EPS. On average, analysts expect that United Parcel Service will post 7.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th were given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.74%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 19th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 106.36%.

Institutional Trading of United Parcel Service

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 8.3% in the first quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,657 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $246,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 12.6% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 2,231 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $332,000 after purchasing an additional 249 shares in the last quarter. Vicus Capital bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at about $461,000. CRA Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. CRA Financial Services LLC now owns 8,180 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,216,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the period. Finally, Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO now owns 32,965 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,900,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares in the last quarter. 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.