United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Purchased by J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 72,587 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,935 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for 0.7% of J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $11,413,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at $199,220. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $142.77. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 5,064,272 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,320,233. The firm has a market capitalization of $121.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.33, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $149.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $151.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $133.68 and a 1-year high of $197.80.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $24.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.46% and a net margin of 7.37%. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.62 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.57%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UPS. Robert W. Baird upgraded United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $165.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Oppenheimer reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $153.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Raymond James lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $178.00 to $170.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $165.61.

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.