Centaurus Financial Inc. Grows Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Centaurus Financial Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 4.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 5,281 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 248 shares during the quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $666,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of UPS opened at $98.06 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $90.55 and a 12 month high of $148.15. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $98.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $115.46. The firm has a market cap of $83.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.51, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23.

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

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 19th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 95.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on UPS shares. Loop Capital decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $114.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $119.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $124.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $120.26.

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.