Advent Capital Management DE Buys Shares of 33,000 United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Advent Capital Management DE purchased a new position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 33,000 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $4,161,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in 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 last quarter. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

NYSE:UPS traded up $2.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $96.34. The stock had a trading volume of 4,738,497 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,831,654. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market cap of $82.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $110.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.74. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.55 and a 12-month high of $153.42.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 period in the prior year, the business earned $2.47 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.81%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Galvan Research reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $133.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $129.70.

United Parcel Service Company 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.