United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Sold by Clearbridge Investments LLC

Clearbridge Investments LLC lessened its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 51.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,262,718 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 3,408,588 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned about 0.38% of United Parcel Service worth $446,501,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of UPS. Aveo Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $218,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 82.2% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,423 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $695,000 after purchasing an additional 1,996 shares in the last quarter. NEOS Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 37.3% in the fourth quarter. NEOS Investment Management LLC now owns 10,224 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,608,000 after purchasing an additional 2,777 shares during the last quarter. Kodai Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $305,000. Finally, Rafferty Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Rafferty Asset Management LLC now owns 74,924 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $11,780,000 after buying an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS stock traded down $3.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $133.29. The stock had a trading volume of 3,656,088 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,275,473. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $123.12 and a fifty-two week high of $163.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $128.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $138.10. The firm has a market cap of $114.04 billion, a PE ratio of 19.32, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.99.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.20). The company had revenue of $21.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.17 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 5.87%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.54 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 19th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 19th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on UPS shares. TD Cowen assumed coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a "hold" rating and a $144.00 price objective for the company. Stephens reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $168.00 to $140.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $120.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $145.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $149.68.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was bought at an average price of $128.61 per share, for a total transaction of $643,050.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at $663,627.60. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.