Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. Sells 6,975 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. cut its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 9.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 68,171 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 6,975 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for about 0.7% of Armstrong Advisory Group Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $8,596,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. PSI Advisors LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 408.2% during the 3rd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 720.0% in the 3rd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the third quarter worth $54,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UPS. Wolfe Research upgraded United Parcel Service from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $147.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $151.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Barclays restated an "underweight" rating and set a $120.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Susquehanna upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of 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 research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $151.10.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 2.0 %

NYSE:UPS traded up $2.50 on Thursday, hitting $129.97. The stock had a trading volume of 5,471,288 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,606,358. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $121.56 and a 52 week high of $161.35. The business's fifty day moving average is $129.09 and its 200 day moving average is $130.98. The company has a market cap of $110.91 billion, a PE ratio of 19.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.00.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.13. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. The company had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.57 earnings per share. United Parcel Service's revenue for the quarter was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

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.