Renaissance Technologies LLC Lowers Stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Renaissance Technologies LLC trimmed its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 46.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 177,401 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 150,962 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $22,370,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pacific Sage Partners LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Pacific Sage Partners LLC now owns 1,677 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 16.7% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 558 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Gleason Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Gleason Group Inc. now owns 6,660 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $840,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in United Parcel Service by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,583 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $452,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Altus Wealth Group LLC boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Altus Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,022 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $255,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.9 %

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded down $0.89 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $95.61. 1,269,960 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,446,051. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $111.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $90.55 and a twelve month high of $153.42.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 posted $2.47 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.86%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Baird R W lowered shares of United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research 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 objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $131.32.

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.