Key Points
- Insider sale: Director Norman Brothers Jr. sold 25,014 UPS shares at an average price of $106.15 for about $2.66 million, disclosed in an SEC filing.
- Earnings beat and upbeat guide: UPS reported Q4 EPS $2.38 (vs. $2.20 est.) and revenue $24.5B (vs. $23.91B), and guided to higher 2026 revenue, triggering multiple analyst price‑target increases.
- Major restructuring risk: UPS will cut up to 30,000 operational jobs and unwind lower‑margin Amazon volumes, raising short‑term execution costs and margin pressure despite shareholder returns (dividend/buybacks).
United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) insider Norman Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.
United Parcel Service Trading Down 3.2%
Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $103.77 on Thursday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $82.00 and a 52-week high of $136.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.03 billion, a PE ratio of 16.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The company's fifty day moving average price is $101.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $93.47.
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $24.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.91 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 38.30% and a net margin of 6.28%.The company's revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.75 EPS. On average, analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.
United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 101.39%.
Trending Headlines about United Parcel Service
Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat and upbeat 2026 revenue guide: UPS reported Q4 revenue and adjusted EPS above estimates and guided to higher 2026 revenue, underpinning the stock’s fundamental upside. UPS forecasts higher 2026 revenue
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts turning more bullish — multiple price‑target increases and upgrades today (notable raises: Jefferies to $130 buy, Truist to $130 buy, UBS to $125 buy, Oppenheimer to $115 outperform), signaling expectations for margin recovery and revenue growth. Analyst Coverage roundup
- Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns highlighted: UPS confirmed a meaningful quarterly dividend (annualized yield ~6%) and continues buybacks — supports income investors and offsets some growth concerns. UPS Q4 press release / earnings deck
- Positive Sentiment: Market narrative shifting to “accumulation”: coverage pieces argue UPS is entering a rebound phase as volume mix improves (international, healthcare, higher‑margin segments). MarketBeat accumulation thesis
- Positive Sentiment: Options flow showed heavy call buying the day after earnings — short‑term bullish positioning by some traders (unusual activity vs. typical volume).
- Neutral Sentiment: Industry operational note: FedEx aims to return MD‑11 freighters to service after the UPS MD‑11 accident — a sector safety/operational development that keeps regulatory and reputational risks in focus. FedEx MD‑11 return plan
- Neutral Sentiment: Some divergence among analysts — Citigroup trimmed its target slightly even as most shops raised theirs, showing not all firms are aligned on upside magnitude. Analyst dissent
- Negative Sentiment: Large workforce cuts: UPS will eliminate up to 30,000 operational jobs (on top of prior reductions) and close facilities as it winds down lower‑margin Amazon volumes — raises short‑term execution risk, transition costs and scrutiny about competitiveness. UPS job cuts announced
- Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Director/insider Norman M. Brothers Jr. sold ~25,014 shares at ~$106 each — a visible insider sale that can amplify negative sentiment even if it’s routine. Insider sale SEC filing
- Negative Sentiment: Coverage pointing to costly Amazon unwind: analysis pieces warn the separation from Amazon is expensive and competitive pressures in U.S. delivery remain strong, which could weigh on margins while network changes take effect. Invezz analysis
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
Several brokerages have recently commented on UPS. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $96.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and set a $85.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Stephens boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $115.22.
Get Our Latest Report on UPS
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 63.8% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,529,000 after acquiring an additional 4,723 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at $277,000. Patton Fund Management Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth about $227,000. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth about $67,000. Finally, GC Wealth Management RIA LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 15.2% in the 2nd quarter. GC Wealth Management RIA LLC now owns 9,937 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,003,000 after acquiring an additional 1,314 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
About United Parcel Service
(
Get Free Report)
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.
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