AlphaQuest LLC Boosts Stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• AlphaQuest LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. by 44.3% during the second quarter, owning 9,421 shares worth approximately $951,000.
• United Parcel Service reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.55, slightly missing analysts' expectations, while achieving a revenue of $21.20 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, resulting in a 7.5% dividend yield and a high payout ratio of 97.62%.

AlphaQuest LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 44.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 9,421 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 2,891 shares during the quarter. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $951,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 5.8% during the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 1,879,372 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $189,704,000 after purchasing an additional 103,422 shares during the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 123.0% during the second quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 11,471 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,158,000 after purchasing an additional 6,326 shares during the last quarter. Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the second quarter worth $71,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 10.2% during the second quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 330,738 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $33,385,000 after purchasing an additional 30,509 shares during the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the second quarter worth $286,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $87.21 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.98, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $85.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $93.18. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $82.00 and a 52 week high of $140.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.56 by ($0.01). United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.34% and a return on equity of 39.61%. The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.90 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.79 EPS. United Parcel Service's revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th were given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.5%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 97.62%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director Christiana Smith Shi bought 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $88.17 per share, with a total value of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 500 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,085. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 17,182 shares of company stock valued at $1,477,382 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UPS. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen cut United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, September 20th. Wolfe Research cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Susquehanna cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a "sell (d+)" rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $109.31.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.