Stifel Financial Corp Purchases 29,508 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 1.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,570,248 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 29,508 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp owned 0.18% of United Parcel Service worth $198,019,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.3% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 829,280 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $113,064,000 after purchasing an additional 33,989 shares in the last quarter. Onyx Bridge Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $461,000. Synovus Financial Corp increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 87,531 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $11,934,000 after buying an additional 6,941 shares during the period. HF Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,305,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 27.2% during the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 131,623 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $16,304,000 after buying an additional 28,108 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.59 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $96.84. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,297,836 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,825,807. The stock has a market cap of $82.72 billion, a PE ratio of 14.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. 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, Inc. has a 52 week low of $90.55 and a 52 week high of $153.42. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $109.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $122.19.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 period in the previous year, the business posted $2.47 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict 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 $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.77%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UPS. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $119.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price 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. Susquehanna decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Finally, Baird R W downgraded United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $128.74.

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.