Empowered Funds LLC Reduces Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Empowered Funds LLC lessened its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 33.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 75,501 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 38,552 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $10,294,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 15,779.6% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 14,631,461 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,994,853,000 after buying an additional 14,539,321 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 284.8% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,569,831 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $351,681,000 after purchasing an additional 1,901,914 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1,061.1% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,772,765 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $232,959,000 after buying an additional 1,620,091 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 5,136.2% in the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,079,964 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $147,242,000 after acquiring an additional 1,059,339 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Interval Partners LP bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at $90,099,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded up $1.43 during trading on Friday, hitting $134.07. 3,337,614 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,986,738. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $132.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.76. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $123.12 and a 52-week high of $163.82. The firm has a market cap of $114.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 company posted $1.57 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.86%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 98.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UPS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Baird R W upgraded United Parcel Service to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. 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 report on Wednesday, July 24th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $144.00 target price on the stock. Susquehanna lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, 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.