NorthRock Partners LLC Acquires 8,498 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

NorthRock Partners LLC grew its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 213.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,470 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 8,498 shares during the quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,572,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pacific Sage Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 16.7% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 558 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Altus Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.6% in the fourth quarter. Altus Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,022 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Empirical Asset Management LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Empirical Asset Management LLC now owns 12,036 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,518,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,559 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $323,000 after buying an additional 94 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on UPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $120.87.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $99.54 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $103.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $118.19. The company has a market cap of $85.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.72, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23. 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 $90.55 and a 52-week high of $150.03.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.11. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. The business had revenue of $21.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.25 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. United Parcel Service’s revenue for the quarter was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.59%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 95.63%.

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.