Aviva PLC Purchases 107,148 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Aviva PLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 32.1% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 441,124 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 107,148 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $55,626,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Robert W. Baird cut United Parcel Service from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wolfe Research raised United Parcel Service from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $147.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 31st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $133.18.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 2.5 %

NYSE:UPS opened at $97.62 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $83.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The company has a fifty day moving average of $115.82 and a 200 day moving average of $125.60. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $96.57 and a 52 week high of $153.42.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 last year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.72%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

About United Parcel Service

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.