United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Releases Earnings Results

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The transportation company reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 4.84% and a return on equity of 37.78%. The company had revenue of $22.85 billion for the quarter.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded down $1.04 during trading on Thursday, reaching $113.27. 1,829,667 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,602,487. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 1.18. United Parcel Service has a 1-year low of $90.84 and a 1-year high of $122.41. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $99.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $104.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.37 billion, a PE ratio of 21.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is currently 126.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $131.00 to $127.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Bank of America increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $108.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued a “market perform” rating for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised United Parcel Service from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Monday, August 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $118.45.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Matthew Guffey sold 8,318 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.39, for a total transaction of $876,634.02. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 271 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,560.69. This represents a 96.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 2.1% during the third quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 312,924 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $29,240,000 after buying an additional 6,289 shares during the period. Leelyn Smith LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.8% during the third quarter. Leelyn Smith LLC now owns 29,829 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,787,000 after buying an additional 803 shares during the last quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 22.8% in the third quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,437 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $321,000 after buying an additional 639 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 10.2% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 115,000 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $11,050,000 after buying an additional 10,633 shares during the period. Finally, Cowa LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 11.9% in the third quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 26,466 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,473,000 after buying an additional 2,820 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service, Inc (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and logistics company. Its services include the transportation and delivery of packages and freight, time-definite express delivery, supply chain management, customs brokerage, and logistics consulting. UPS serves businesses and consumers through ground, air, and international delivery networks.

The company operates across the United States and in international markets throughout Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Canada, and other regions.