Mediolanum International Funds Ltd Buys 15,398 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Mediolanum International Funds Ltd grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 49.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,234 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 15,398 shares during the quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $3,907,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 110.1% during the 2nd quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the period. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the second quarter worth about $34,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. HSBC raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $113.67.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 3.9%

UPS opened at $110.31 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $93.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.22. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $102.09 and its 200 day moving average is $93.59. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $82.00 and a fifty-two week high of $123.70.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.18. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 38.30% and a net margin of 6.28%.The business had revenue of $24.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.75 EPS. United Parcel Service’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.9%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

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.