United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Acquired by Boston Research & Management Inc.

Boston Research & Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 3.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 40,759 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,183 shares during the period. Boston Research & Management Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $5,139,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 14.5% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 32,289 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,402,000 after acquiring an additional 4,100 shares during the last quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 69.0% during the 3rd quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,068 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,591,000 after purchasing an additional 7,786 shares in the last quarter. Encompass More Asset Management increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 26.1% during the 3rd quarter. Encompass More Asset Management now owns 2,040 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $278,000 after purchasing an additional 422 shares during the last quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 24,923 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,243,000 after purchasing an additional 1,065 shares in the last quarter. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 397.7% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS opened at $109.66 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $93.66 billion, a PE ratio of 16.22, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $118.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $126.40. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $108.87 and a 52 week high of $154.29.

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

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on UPS shares. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets raised United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Baird R W downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have issued 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 “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $137.57.

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.