Prediction: UPS Stock Will Outperform If Management Cuts the Dividend

Core Viewpoint - UPS is facing significant pressure to meet its full-year guidance for 2025 after failing to do so in 2023 and 2024, with a strong case for buying the stock if management considers cutting the dividend [1] Financial Performance and Dividend Concerns - The dividend yield of nearly 7% raises concerns about its sustainability, indicating that the market doubts its coverage [2] - Management's plan to pay $5.5 billion in dividends while forecasting only $5.7 billion in free cash flow (FCF) for the year raises red flags about the dividend's viability [3] - The targeted dividend payout ratio of 50% is based on earnings rather than cash flow, which could lead to issues as nearly all estimated FCF in 2025 may be allocated to dividends [4] Capital Allocation and Strategic Decisions - CEO Carol Tome mentioned the possibility of debt financing for stock buybacks, suggesting that the cost of debt is lower than the dividend payout, indicating a potential shift in capital allocation strategy [5] - There are considerations that cutting the dividend could free up resources for more value-creating opportunities, such as mergers and acquisitions or business investments [7] Operational Challenges and Market Conditions - UPS plans to reduce less profitable Amazon deliveries by 50% from early 2025 to mid-2026 to focus on higher-margin deliveries, which may impact overall delivery volumes [8] - The company anticipates a 9% year-over-year decline in U.S. domestic package average daily volume, following a 3.5% decline in the first quarter, with low-single-digit percentage revenue decline expected [13] Long-term Growth Potential - Despite current challenges, UPS is positioned for long-term earnings growth, with management's strategy to cut costs and reshape its network to focus on higher-margin activities [11][12] - Ongoing investments in technology and targeted markets like SMBs and healthcare are expected to enhance productivity and operational efficiency [12] Conclusion on Dividend Strategy - While UPS has a promising long-term outlook, the current dividend situation may necessitate a cut to navigate through a challenging period effectively [15]