24,701 Shares in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS Acquired by Murphy Middleton Hinkle & Parker Inc.

Murphy Middleton Hinkle & Parker Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 24,701 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,450,000. United Parcel Service makes up 0.7% of Murphy Middleton Hinkle & Parker Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of UPS. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,268 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $372,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.6% during the third quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 2,558 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $214,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,129 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $596,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 2.3% in the third quarter. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 5,163 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $431,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Winch Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 37.3% in the 3rd quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 456 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $97.76 on Tuesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $122.41. The company has a market cap of $83.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.90, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $108.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $98.48.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $24.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.91 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.75 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 100.00%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total value of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings raised United Parcel Service from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $99.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Wolfe Research reissued a “peer perform” rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $113.67.

About United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.