Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super Purchases New Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super purchased a new position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 106,131 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $13,383,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 2.3 %

Shares of UPS stock traded up $2.14 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $96.34. The company had a trading volume of 4,738,497 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,826,073. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $90.55 and a fifty-two week high of $153.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The company's fifty day moving average is $110.76 and its 200 day moving average is $122.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.29 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.47 EPS. Research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.81%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on UPS. Baird R W cut United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Galvan Research reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $133.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $129.70.

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.