ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $22.36.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Macquarie Infrastructure upgraded shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Zacks Research lowered shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered ZTO Express (Cayman) from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) stock opened at $24.93 on Tuesday. ZTO Express has a 12 month low of $16.34 and a 12 month high of $26.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of -0.20. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $21.15.

ZTO Express (Cayman) (NYSE:ZTO) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 17th. The transportation company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.03. ZTO Express (Cayman) had a net margin of 18.50% and a return on equity of 14.05%. The firm had revenue of $2.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. ZTO Express (Cayman)’s quarterly revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that ZTO Express will post 1.57 earnings per share for the current year.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 8th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 305.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 8th. ZTO Express (Cayman)’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.71%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ZTO Express (Cayman)

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capitolis Liquid Global Markets LLC bought a new position in ZTO Express (Cayman) in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,672,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new position in ZTO Express (Cayman) in the second quarter worth about $12,604,000. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 2,573.3% in the third quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 612,738 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $11,765,000 after buying an additional 589,817 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) in the second quarter worth approximately $7,446,000. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 4.9% in the third quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 7,999,407 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $153,589,000 after buying an additional 376,179 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 41.65% of the company’s stock.

About ZTO Express (Cayman)

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc is one of China’s leading express delivery companies, specializing in both domestic and cross-border parcel logistics. The company operates a technology-enabled network that connects shippers, independent pickup and delivery stations, regional sorting hubs and end customers. ZTO’s service portfolio includes standard express, heavy-weight parcel delivery, time-definite shipments and e-commerce logistics solutions tailored for online retailers and marketplaces.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Shanghai, ZTO has grown rapidly by leveraging a franchise-style operating model that engages a broad network of independent contractors.