Independent Financial Group LLC Makes New Investment in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Independent Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 9,115 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $897,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Coston McIsaac & Partners increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 77.8% during the 4th quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 272 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the period. Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about United Parcel Service

Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target on UPS to $133 from $130 and reiterated an outperform rating, signaling upside confidence ahead of earnings.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect UPS to have a chance to beat upcoming quarterly earnings expectations, supported by the right mix of improving per-package revenue and cost cuts.
• Positive Sentiment: Investor focus is centered on updated guidance, and any stronger-than-expected outlook could further support the shares after recent weakness.
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary notes UPS has been moving alongside broader transportation-sector earnings expectations, with traders watching for confirmation in the Q2 report. United Parcel Service Inc. Cl B stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors
• Negative Sentiment: Recent articles also point to lower shipping volumes and pricing pressure from fuel surcharges and competition, including Amazon’s expanding delivery network, which could weigh on margins. Fuel surcharges wallop FedEx, UPS shippers as Amazon looms

United Parcel Service Trading Up 2.8%

United Parcel Service stock opened at $116.32 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $98.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.05. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.00 and a 1 year high of $122.41. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $107.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.02 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.99 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.95% and a net margin of 5.94%.The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.49 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 106.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. UBS Group dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Susquehanna upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $111.50.

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.