617,990 Shares in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Acquired by Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 617,990 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $77,929,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.07% of United Parcel Service as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,075,393,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $393,680,000. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 15.6% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 10,979,909 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,384,567,000 after buying an additional 1,484,452 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 77.7% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,150,901 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $397,329,000 after acquiring an additional 1,378,136 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,264,665 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,933,674,000 after purchasing an additional 1,337,058 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.4%

United Parcel Service stock traded up $1.32 on Thursday, hitting $98.06. 4,593,225 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,133,737. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The firm has a market cap of $83.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $99.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $115.69. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $90.55 and a 1 year high of $148.15.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $21.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.69%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 95.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an "equal weight" rating and issued a $98.00 price objective (down previously from $120.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Raymond James cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Loop Capital dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $119.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $149.00 to $123.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $120.26.

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.