Investors Research Corp Trims Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Investors Research Corp lessened its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 0.9% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 10,839 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Investors Research Corp’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UPS. Impax Asset Management Group plc raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 22.4% in the third quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 335,306 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $45,716,000 after buying an additional 61,360 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the third quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Leavell Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 176.9% in the third quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,948 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $811,000 after buying an additional 3,800 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. increased its position in United Parcel Service by 5.9% during the third quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 4,932 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $672,000 after purchasing an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assetmark Inc. increased its position in United Parcel Service by 6.7% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 80,886 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $11,028,000 after purchasing an additional 5,068 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of UPS stock opened at $121.59 on Monday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $109.40 and a twelve month high of $158.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The company has a market capitalization of $103.85 billion, a PE ratio of 17.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $121.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $127.77.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.47 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.40%. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Loop Capital dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Friday. They set a “hold” rating and a $119.00 price target for the company. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $138.00.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.