United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Shares Up 0.4% Following Dividend Announcement

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s stock price rose 0.4% during trading on Thursday following a dividend announcement from the company. The stock traded as high as $135.40 and last traded at $134.48. Approximately 516,829 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 88% from the average daily volume of 4,168,309 shares. The stock had previously closed at $133.92.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 98.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on UPS shares. Susquehanna increased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $139.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $142.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.71.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $113.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.01, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.99. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $132.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. The company 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 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.57 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UPS. TruNorth Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 291.7% during the 2nd quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the period. Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 168.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PSI Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 408.2% in the 3rd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.