Unveiling UPS’s Technological Investments Amidst Stock Market Turmoil Unveiling UPS’s Technological Investments Amidst Stock Market Turmoil

Daily Market Recaps (no fluff)

always free

United Parcel Service‘s (NYSE: UPS) witnessed an over 8% decline in its stock price on March 26 in response to its 2024 Investor and Analyst Day. The market seemed oblivious to UPS’s strategic embrace of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and machine learning to boost margins. Overlooked were revelations about the deployment of over 700 robots at UPS’ Velocity facility in Kentucky, capable of processing a staggering 350,000 packages daily. The company’s consolidation of hubs across critical regions like New York and Texas aimed at enhancing efficiency and driving margin growth.

Despite these technological strides, the market fixated on delivery data that elucidated why UPS’ stock price is now dwelling within 10% proximity of a three-year low.

A person working on a table with a laptop and pieces of paper.

Image source: Getty Images.

Unforeseen Demand Deceleration

The package delivery industry thrives on a supply-demand equilibrium with a small buffer. During the peak of the pandemic in 2020 and early 2021, demand outstripped supply, resulting in elevated margins for package delivery firms.

Contrary to expectations, the pandemic-induced e-commerce surge failed to sustain momentum, leaving a 12 million average delivery volume (ADV) surplus for U.S. small delivery packages, compared to the pre-pandemic 6 million ADV surplus. This surplus compressed margins, hampered profitability, and disrupted growth forecasts.

UPS’ internal projections from January 2021 forecasted a 13.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) until 2024. However, the company experienced a mere 3.1% CAGR, highlighting a significant 23% variance from the initial 2023 expectations.


Projected ADV Actual ADV

Data source: UPS Internal Analysis. ADV = Average delivery volume. FY = Fiscal year.

The market penalized UPS for an over-optimistic growth outlook in a pivotal market sector. External factors like inflation and geopolitical tensions exacerbated by global trade disruptions contributed to capacity overextension, denting UPS’s margins. The company’s corrective strategy involves moderating investments and aligning supply with demand, albeit at the cost of short-term setbacks as it recalibrates.

A Roadmap to Enhanced Profitability

UPS unveiled multiple objectives during its investor and analyst briefing, aspiring to become a premier small package provider, capture 40% of U.S. small and medium-sized business volume, and secure the top spot as the premium international small package provider. The company’s 1+2 plan delineates a focus on volume and adjusted operating profit growth in 2024, followed by an emphasis on volume and adjusted operating profit margin growth in 2025 and 2026.

Despite incurring heightened costs in 2024 due to the front-loaded teamsters’ contract, UPS anticipates cost alleviation post-August 1, paving the way for enhanced profitability prospects.

UPS’s Journey and Investor Expectations

While UPS charts a course towards progress, it requires time to materialize its strategic realignment. Encouragingly, the company reset its forecasts and remains viable to achieve guidance even with moderate growth.

In the immediate future, UPS’s stock is anticipated to face pressure. The upcoming year poses challenges following a dismal 2023 marked by guidance misses and a pronounced deceleration in performance.

Investors seek clarity on a company’s future trajectory rather than dwelling on past missteps. UPS provided this necessary guidance in its recent update, outlining its extensive investments in AI and automation aimed at bolstering profitability. While short-term noises may overshadow long-term gains, prudent investors recognize the transformative potential of these investments in driving higher delivery volumes and operational efficiency.

In the interim, UPS boasts a lucrative 4.5% dividend yield coupled with 15 consecutive years of dividend increments, underscoring a compelling rationale for investors to exercise patience and afford the company the time needed for its turnaround.

Daniel Foelber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Do you want a daily market summary with no fluff?

Simple Straightforward Daily Stock Market Recaps Sent for free,every single trading day: Read Now

Explore More

Simple Straightforward Daily Stock Market Recaps

Get institutional-level analysis to take your trading to the next level, sign up for free and become apart of the community.