Advisors Asset Management Inc. Boosts Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 211,163 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 13,368 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service comprises 0.5% of Advisors Asset Management Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Advisors Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $28,790,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UPS. Prospera Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 4.3% during the third quarter. Prospera Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,094 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $695,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter valued at $8,731,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 20.5% in the third quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 36,164 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $4,931,000 after buying an additional 6,149 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 39.9% in the third quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 9,746 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,329,000 after buying an additional 2,782 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 1.8% during the third quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 56,641 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $7,723,000 after buying an additional 1,007 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of UPS traded down $1.13 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $132.07. 3,848,099 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,165,909. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $123.12 and a 1 year high of $163.82. The firm's fifty day moving average is $132.70 and its 200-day moving average is $134.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $112.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 37.38%. The firm had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.57 EPS. United Parcel Service's revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.94%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays reissued an "underweight" rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Argus raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Stephens cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $168.00 to $140.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $169.00 to $155.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $151.52.

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.