KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Acquires New Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 242,893 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $30,629,000.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UPS. Pacific Sage Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 0.6% in the third quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 12,596 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,717,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 16.7% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 558 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Gleason Group Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Gleason Group Inc. now owns 6,660 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $840,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the period. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 1,831 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

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United Parcel Service Stock Down 5.0 %

UPS stock traded down $5.79 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $110.01. The stock had a trading volume of 10,622,008 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,524,087. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $109.40 and a 1-year high of $157.99. The company has a fifty day moving average of $119.63 and a 200 day moving average of $126.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $93.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.27, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.47 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.96%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on UPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $119.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $137.91.

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.