United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Holdings Boosted by Optimist Retirement Group LLC

Optimist Retirement Group LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 103.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,252 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,173 shares during the period. Optimist Retirement Group LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $788,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Econ Financial Services Corp acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $2,084,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 21.8% during the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 612,094 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $77,172,000 after acquiring an additional 109,459 shares in the last quarter. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 20,737 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,615,000 after purchasing an additional 1,235 shares during the period. Y.D. More Investments Ltd lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 38.8% in the fourth quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 1,259 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $159,000 after purchasing an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Weaver Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 26.2% during the fourth quarter. Weaver Capital Management LLC now owns 6,071 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $766,000 after purchasing an additional 1,261 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:UPS opened at $111.95 on Thursday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.40 and a 52-week high of $158.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The company has a market cap of $95.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.98. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $127.32 and its 200-day moving average is $129.69.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.47 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.61 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.86%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 96.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the topic of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Loop Capital reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Raymond James dropped their target price on United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $140.73.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total transaction of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Profile

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.