AlphaQuest LLC Purchases 4,222 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• AlphaQuest LLC has increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) by 182.9% during the first quarter, now holding a total of 6,530 shares valued at $718,000.
• Recent analysts' reports have estimated a consensus price target for UPS to be $112.81, with revised price targets from various firms ranging from $80.00 to $100.00.
• UPS announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share with a high dividend yield of 7.4%, further highlighting the company's appeal to investors.

AlphaQuest LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 182.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,530 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,222 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $718,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Gallacher Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $620,000. Garde Capital Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 61.3% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,576 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $173,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,467 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $381,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the period. Finally, Advisor Resource Council bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $437,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Oppenheimer reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $114.00 to $100.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $98.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Stephens reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $101.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $112.81.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 3.0%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $88.7140 on Monday. 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, Inc. has a 12-month low of $84.28 and a 12-month high of $145.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.20, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.12. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $95.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $101.85.

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

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, CEO Carol B. Tome acquired 11,682 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $85.67 per share, with a total value of $1,000,796.94. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,117,591.06. This trade represents a 89.61% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $878,840. The trade was a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

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.

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