United Asset Strategies Inc. Boosts Stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

United Asset Strategies Inc. boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 244.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 50,837 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 36,094 shares during the period. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $5,001,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Shrier Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,099,000. LFG Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,207,000. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 49.4% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 297,357 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $29,495,000 after purchasing an additional 98,309 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,541,742 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $450,495,000 after purchasing an additional 65,652 shares during the last quarter. Finally, RiverFront Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 937.9% during the 4th quarter. RiverFront Investment Group LLC now owns 245,564 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $24,358,000 after buying an additional 221,905 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.4%

UPS traded up $1.58 on Tuesday, reaching $111.60. 759,767 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,043,671. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $122.41. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $104.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $105.28. The company has a market cap of $94.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.99 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.94% and a return on equity of 35.95%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.1 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Monday, May 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is presently 106.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UPS. Weiss Ratings downgraded United Parcel Service from a “hold (c)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $118.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Evercore reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $113.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $110.85.

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.