Empire Financial Management Company LLC Invests $1.43 Million in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Empire Financial Management Company LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 11,305 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $1,426,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. Pacific Sage Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $212,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in United Parcel Service by 16.7% in the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 558 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Gleason Group Inc. increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Gleason Group Inc. now owns 6,660 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $840,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,583 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $452,000 after buying an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Altus Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Altus Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,022 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Baird R W cut United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Citigroup lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Susquehanna cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $128.74.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

NYSE UPS opened at $97.31 on Thursday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $90.55 and a 1 year high of $153.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $83.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $109.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is $122.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.47 EPS. As a group, research 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 company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.74%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

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.

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