United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS Stock Position Reduced by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 0.7% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 787,098 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 5,719 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $65,746,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 110.1% in the 2nd quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the second quarter worth about $34,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of UPS opened at $111.94 on Wednesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $123.70. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $102.44 and its 200-day moving average is $93.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.11.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $24.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.91 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.75 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 100.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UPS has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $88.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. TD Cowen increased their target price on United Parcel Service from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wolfe Research reiterated a “peer perform” rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $107.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of United Parcel Service from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $114.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Friday, January 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $113.67.

United Parcel Service Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.