United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Purchased by Latitude Advisors LLC

Latitude Advisors LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 6.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,940 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 120 shares during the quarter. Latitude Advisors LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $245,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UPS. Sovran Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $659,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $654,000. Carnegie Lake Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 13.9% during the 4th quarter. Carnegie Lake Advisors LLC now owns 7,005 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $883,000 after buying an additional 855 shares during the last quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 4,731 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $623,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the period. Finally, Principle Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Principle Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,595 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $114.18 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $125.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of $129.25. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $109.40 and a 12 month high of $158.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $97.43 billion, a PE ratio of 16.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.99 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is currently 96.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Argus upgraded United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Baird R W lowered shares of United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Loop Capital dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $140.73.

About United Parcel Service

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.