Where Will UPS Be in 5 Years?

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) has experienced its fair share of bad news in recent years. The package-delivery giant needed something positive to happen and got it this week with better-than-expected third-quarter results. This caused the company's shares to soar.

Perhaps the rebound will gain momentum. But what does the future hold for UPS? In particular, where will the company be in five years?

The good news for UPS

Will the challenges UPS currently faces be the same ones the company must deal with at the end of the decade? In some cases, yes. However, that isn't true across the board.

For example, tariffs probably won't be a major issue for UPS in five years. A new presidential administration and Congress will be in place. The current high tariffs will either have proven to be too problematic to keep in place or worked out satisfactorily. The company's business will likely have adjusted, regardless of what happens.

The initial pain associated with the drastic reduction in Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) shipment volumes should have long made its way through UPS' system by 2030. Management believes that these moves will ultimately increase the company's profitability.

Technology could help boost the company's bottom line over the next five years, as well. Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics hold tremendous potential in enhancing the efficiency of UPS' operations. Improvements in electric vehicles, including hybrids, could reduce its fuel costs.

The demand for package delivery isn't going to disappear. The company's scale of operations should continue to be a significant competitive advantage. The odds seem to be good that UPS will remain at the top of the industry at the end of the decade.

Image source: United Parcel Service.

Potential threats

Much of the company's attraction to investors relates to its dividend. UPS currently offers an ultra-high dividend yield of over 7% and has maintained or increased its dividend every year since 1999. A dividend cut could cause the stock to not only sink, but also lose a lot of its luster for income investors.

Some observers believe that UPS just might cut its dividend in the not-too-distant future. For example, Morningstar stated in September 2025 that, "While UPS' balance sheet is healthy and the firm could probably make the current dividend work, we would not be surprised if the board eventually cuts it to be more in line with UPS' targeted 50% payout ratio."

This year, investors have seen how macroeconomic factors can negatively impact UPS' business. A deep global recession, where consumers significantly curtail spending and shipment volumes drop precipitously, would be a nightmare for UPS.

Amazon could also be another source of angst for UPS -- and I'm not referring to the ongoing reduction of shipment volumes with the e-commerce giant. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, once stated, "Your margin is my opportunity."

Amazon has steadily expanded its internal delivery network in recent years. If it decided to make a serious bid to dominate the package delivery industry, UPS would have a major fight on its hands that it may or may not win.

A prediction for UPS in 2030

Where will UPS be in 2030? I predict it will be a leaner, more profitable, and more nimble company than it is today. I agree with management's decision to focus on higher-margin opportunities and realign its infrastructure. I fully expect that UPS will benefit from technological advances over the next few years that help improve its bottom line.

My best guess is that UPS won't cut its dividend because executives recognize how important the dividend program is to shareholders. Assuming the cost-cutting moves pay off -- as I think they should -- UPS will have sufficient cash flow to keep the dividends flowing, at least at current levels.

The biggest wild cards are the economy and the potential competitive threat from Amazon. I feel more confident predicting that Amazon won't mount a frontal assault on UPS' business than I do that there won't be a major economic decline at some point over the next five years. As long as any economic pullback isn't too severe or prolonged, though, UPS should be an even better stock for investors to own in 2030 than it is now.

Keith Speights has positions in Amazon and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.