Clearbridge Investments LLC Sells 808,035 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Clearbridge Investments LLC lessened its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 99.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,152 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 808,035 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $902,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the 4th quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth approximately $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS traded down $2.15 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $95.56. 8,724,058 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,736,925. The company's 50-day moving average price is $115.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $125.31. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $93.23 and a 1-year high of $153.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.14, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

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United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 quarter last year, the firm earned $2.47 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on UPS. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $119.00 target price on the stock. Loop Capital cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $133.18.

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.