Kesler Norman & Wride LLC Boosts Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Kesler Norman & Wride LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 3.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,119 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 989 shares during the quarter. Kesler Norman & Wride LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $3,798,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. RFG Bristol Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $914,000. Potomac Fund Management Inc. ADV bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,194,000. OV Management LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. OV Management LLC now owns 13,621 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,718,000 after acquiring an additional 1,161 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $20,492,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth $248,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $109.29 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $117.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $126.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $93.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.17, a PEG 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. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $108.18 and a 52 week high of $154.29.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 in the prior year, the company earned $2.47 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.00%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Baird R W downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $135.83.

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.