Wells Fargo & Company Issues Pessimistic Forecast for United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) Stock Price

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) had its price target reduced by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $150.00 to $128.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “overweight” rating on the transportation company’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s target price would suggest a potential upside of 11.15% from the stock’s current price.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Argus raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $146.62.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of UPS traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $115.16. 3,493,216 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,128,578. The stock has a market cap of $98.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.39, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.00. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $128.72 and a 200-day moving average of $130.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. United Parcel Service has a 52 week low of $109.62 and a 52 week high of $158.95.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.47 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Americana Partners LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.0% during the fourth quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 19,403 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,447,000 after acquiring an additional 1,106 shares during the last quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $558,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares during the last quarter. Hourglass Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $3,854,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $5,358,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 143,765 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $19,056,000 after acquiring an additional 2,914 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is 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.