Tower Research Capital LLC TRC Buys 24,290 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 113.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 45,668 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 24,290 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $5,759,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $1,075,393,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $393,680,000. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 15.6% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 10,979,909 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,384,567,000 after buying an additional 1,484,452 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 77.7% in the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,150,901 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $397,329,000 after buying an additional 1,378,136 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,264,665 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,933,674,000 after buying an additional 1,337,058 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on UPS shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday. Truist Financial began coverage on United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Barclays reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Finally, Loop Capital lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $128.74.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.59 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $96.84. 4,297,836 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,825,807. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $90.55 and a 12 month high of $153.42. The firm has a market cap of $82.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.33, a PEG 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. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $109.66 and a 200 day moving average of $122.19.

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 (EPS) 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 last year, the firm posted $2.47 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 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.