Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. Purchases 1,611 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 1.8% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 91,114 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 1,611 shares during the period. United Parcel Service accounts for about 2.2% of Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $14,326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Life Planning Partners Inc bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 69.5% during the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 239 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UPS. TD Cowen cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. Susquehanna upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 24th. UBS Group raised United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the company from $160.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $178.00 to $170.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. Finally, Argus lowered United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $165.23.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.4 %

United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $148.21. The stock had a trading volume of 1,492,293 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,294,589. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $149.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $150.90. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $133.68 and a 1-year high of $192.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $126.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.10. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.42% and a net margin of 6.60%. The business had revenue of $21.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.20 EPS. United Parcel Service’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.40%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 94.49%.

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.