Marshall Wace LLP Acquires 247,193 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 12.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,259,221 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 247,193 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP owned approximately 0.26% of United Parcel Service worth $284,888,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on UPS shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wolfe Research cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $113.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Truist Financial began coverage on United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. They set a "buy" rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $129.70.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS traded up $2.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $96.34. The stock had a trading volume of 4,738,497 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,826,073. The firm has a market cap of $82.29 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $110.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $122.99. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $90.55 and a one year high of $153.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.47 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were 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 of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.81%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 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.