United Parcel Service Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:UPS)

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders acquired 74,917 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 200% compared to the average daily volume of 24,960 call options.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Stephens dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. UBS Group lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $123.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Weiss Ratings lowered United Parcel Service from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $117.41.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Parcel Service

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 77.8% in the fourth quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock traded down $1.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $104.53. 4,226,562 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,805,008. United Parcel Service has a 52 week low of $82.00 and a 52 week high of $122.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.18. The firm has a market cap of $88.85 billion, a PE ratio of 19.43, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.06. The company’s fifty day moving average is $108.88 and its 200-day moving average is $106.51.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $22.83 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.86 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.08% and a return on equity of 37.50%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.55 EPS. United Parcel Service has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.220-7.220 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service will post 7.22 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 17th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 17th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.3%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 121.93%.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.