Aquatic Capital Management LLC Boosts Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Aquatic Capital Management LLC grew its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 145.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 114,807 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 68,007 shares during the quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $14,477,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Pacific Sage Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.8% in the fourth 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 period. Quent Capital LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 16.7% in the 4th 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 position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.3% in the fourth 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 stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 3,583 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $452,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Altus Wealth Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.6% during the fourth 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. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS traded down $1.02 during trading on Monday, reaching $96.89. 8,629,245 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,857,344. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $108.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $121.40. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $90.55 and a 52-week high of $153.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.76 billion, a PE ratio of 14.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (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 earned $2.47 EPS. Equities 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 company also recently disclosed 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 of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.77%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. Baird R W downgraded United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 18th. UBS Group dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Loop Capital dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, twelve have given 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 "Hold" and an average target price of $126.41.

United Parcel Service 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.