Wright Investors Service Inc. Has $2.86 Million Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Wright Investors Service Inc. cut its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 11.8% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 18,196 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 2,424 shares during the quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $2,861,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on UPS shares. Barclays cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. HSBC dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Argus cut shares of United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “c” rating to a “b-” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $165.61.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $142.27. 804,737 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,272,419. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. The company has a market cap of $121.31 billion, a PE ratio of 18.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.05. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $149.65 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $151.34. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $133.68 and a 1-year high of $197.80.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.62 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were paid a $1.63 dividend. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.58%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 83.70%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at $199,220. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.