D.A. Davidson & CO. Buys 11,054 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 5.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 214,533 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 11,054 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $27,053,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. AMF Tjanstepension AB boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 39.7% during the 3rd quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 108,360 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $14,793,000 after acquiring an additional 30,815 shares during the period. Creative Planning lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.5% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 245,539 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $33,412,000 after purchasing an additional 8,320 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 23.2% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 8,761 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,199,000 after purchasing an additional 1,652 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at approximately $527,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 40.2% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 103,515 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $14,113,000 after buying an additional 29,657 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

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

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS traded down $0.25 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $116.35. 6,455,199 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,637,967. The company's 50-day moving average price is $123.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.33. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $109.40 and a 1-year high of $158.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.21, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.64%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on UPS. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of United Parcel Service from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and decreased their target price for the company from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Loop Capital reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird downgraded United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 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.com, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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.