AustralianSuper Pty Ltd Cuts Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

AustralianSuper Pty Ltd lowered its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 31.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 53,002 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 24,769 shares during the quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,427,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UPS. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 110.1% during the second quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Salzhauer Michael acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 76.5% during the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 376 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Avion Wealth grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 284.1% in the 3rd quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 434 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 321 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

NYSE:UPS opened at $110.52 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The firm has a market cap of $93.84 billion, a PE ratio of 16.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.08. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $109.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $97.31. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $82.00 and a 1-year high of $123.70.

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

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 100.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UPS. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $88.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Wolfe Research reiterated a “peer perform” rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $96.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $85.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $113.67.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

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.