KLCM Advisors Inc. Raises Stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

KLCM Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 9.5% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 212,251 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 18,437 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for about 1.8% of KLCM Advisors Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. KLCM Advisors Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $20,881,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 77.8% during the 4th quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

UPS stock traded up $1.88 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $112.61. The stock had a trading volume of 3,408,694 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,506,363. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $82.00 and a 52 week high of $122.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $105.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $105.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.05.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.94% and a return on equity of 35.95%. The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.11 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 18th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 106.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens upgraded shares of United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings cut shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold (c)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Evercore decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $113.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $111.10.

Key United Parcel Service News

Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup raised its price target on UPS to $132 and reiterated a buy rating, while Stephens upgraded the stock to strong-buy, signaling Wall Street sees more upside. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: UPS was added to the Russell 1000 Value Defensive and Russell 1000 Defensive indexes, which can support demand from index-focused investors and highlight the stock’s defensive appeal. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call option buying suggests traders are positioning for continued gains in UPS shares.
• Positive Sentiment: Several articles pointed to UPS’s strong earnings-beat history and growing investor attention ahead of the next quarterly report, reinforcing expectations for another solid print. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: UPS is reshaping its network, likely as part of ongoing operational efficiency efforts, but the article did not indicate an immediate material financial impact. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: UPS and FedEx remaining top logistics companies by market cap is a reminder of the company’s scale, but this is more a sector ranking than a stock-moving catalyst. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General flagged UPS’s air cargo contract with USPS, urging a re-evaluation over volume-guarantee risks and even possible termination if issues are not addressed, which adds uncertainty around parcel volumes and contract revenue. Article Title

United Parcel Service Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.