United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Sold by Gateway Investment Advisers LLC

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC reduced its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 17.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 205,715 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 44,203 shares during the period. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $25,941,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 171 shares during the period. IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised 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 purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. PSI Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 408.2% in the 3rd quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 249 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the third quarter worth about $36,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

UPS traded down $0.17 on Friday, hitting $129.77. 4,259,394 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,574,798. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $121.56 and a 12-month high of $161.35. The company has a 50 day moving average of $129.01 and a 200-day moving average of $130.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $110.74 billion, a PE ratio of 19.60, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.00.

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

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UPS. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on United Parcel Service from $151.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $151.10.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the business'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 transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,249,229.86. The trade was a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

United Parcel Service 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.