HighPoint Advisor Group LLC Raises Stock Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

HighPoint Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 119.9% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 59,644 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 32,516 shares during the period. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,982,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd raised its position 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 purchasing an additional 131 shares during the period. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Salzhauer Michael bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 76.5% during the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 376 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares during the period. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $116.76 on Thursday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $82.00 and a 52-week high of $123.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $102.86 and its 200 day moving average is $93.84. The company has a market cap of $99.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.80, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.11.

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

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 100.00%.

Insider Activity

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 stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total value of $2,655,236.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Citigroup cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $120.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $88.00 to $106.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $99.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $113.67.

United Parcel Service Company 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.