Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC Sells 20,400 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC lessened its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 95.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 924 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 20,400 shares during the quarter. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $117,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 2.1% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 29,597,425 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $4,035,313,000 after purchasing an additional 613,409 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 6.4% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 21,927,607 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,989,609,000 after buying an additional 1,320,921 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.5% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,289,624 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,080,170,000 after buying an additional 373,202 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 10,627,550 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,448,960,000 after acquiring an additional 380,229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 4,639,272 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $632,518,000 after acquiring an additional 292,777 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $116.35 on Friday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.40 and a 52-week high of $158.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.38 billion, a PE ratio of 17.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The company's fifty day moving average price is $123.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $128.33.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. On average, analysts expect 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 will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $147.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $140.73.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by 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.

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