United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Coverage Initiated by Analysts at Citigroup

Equities researchers at Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage set a “buy” rating and a $162.00 price target on the transportation company’s stock. Citigroup’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 23.70% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on UPS. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $145.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $151.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $159.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Stephens reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $168.00 to $140.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $150.30.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS stock opened at $130.96 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $128.99 and a 200-day moving average of $137.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The stock has a market cap of $112.18 billion, a PE ratio of 18.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.99. United Parcel Service has a one year low of $123.12 and a one year high of $163.82.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.20). The business had revenue of $21.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.17 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 5.87%. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.54 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was bought at an average price of $128.61 per share, for a total transaction of $643,050.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,160 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $663,627.60. The trade was a 3,100.00 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. TruNorth Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Pineridge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 291.7% in the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 869.6% during the first quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 223 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

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.