Cannon Financial Strategists Inc. Raises Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Cannon Financial Strategists Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 5.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,719 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 137 shares during the quarter. Cannon Financial Strategists Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $343,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 4.6% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 13,170 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,661,000 after buying an additional 584 shares during the period. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth $264,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth $303,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 867,132 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $109,345,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mcdonald Partners LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 24,412 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,078,000 after purchasing an additional 669 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related 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 in the company, valued at $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

NYSE:UPS opened at $115.45 on Wednesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $109.40 and a one year 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 firm has a market cap of $98.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.08, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.98. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $123.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $128.58.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 last year, the company posted $2.47 EPS. Research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 96.45%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Raymond James cut their price target 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. Argus raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a 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 report on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Loop Capital lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $115.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price 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.