United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Acquired by Blue Trust Inc.

Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 71.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,011 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 6,250 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,893,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. Asset Planning Inc bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $150,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 15,467 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,950,000 after buying an additional 499 shares during the last quarter. CFC Planning Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,573,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 17,677.8% during the fourth quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA now owns 1,600 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $202,000 after buying an additional 1,591 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 91,465 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $11,534,000 after buying an additional 627 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of UPS stock traded down $0.46 on Wednesday, hitting $114.96. The stock had a trading volume of 4,236,076 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,669,329. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $109.40 and a one year high of $158.95. 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 company has a market cap of $98.11 billion, a PE ratio of 17.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.98. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $123.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $128.58.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 last year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. Research analysts anticipate 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.71%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the company'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 sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on UPS shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Wolfe Research raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $147.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Argus raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $140.73.

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.