United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Stake Lowered by Smith Moore & CO.

Smith Moore & CO. lowered its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 10.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 3,948 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 442 shares during the period. Smith Moore & CO.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $498,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

NYSE UPS opened at $97.62 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $115.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $125.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $83.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $96.57 and a 52-week high of $153.42.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 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 period in the previous year, the business posted $2.47 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.72%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial assumed coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Baird R W cut United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $129.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $133.18.

United Parcel Service Profile

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.