American Century Companies Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. $UGP

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. by 6.5%, now owning approximately 0.17% of the company worth $5.83 million.
• Several hedge funds, including Sequoia Financial Advisors and GAMMA Investing, also raised their stakes in Ultrapar, highlighting growing institutional interest in the company.
• Analysts are optimistic about Ultrapar, with upgrades to a "strong-buy" rating from Wall Street Zen and Scotiabank, along with a consensus target price of $3.20.

American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. (NYSE:UGP - Free Report) by 6.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,892,257 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after buying an additional 116,150 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned about 0.17% of Ultrapar Participacoes worth $5,828,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participacoes during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. CWM LLC raised its position in Ultrapar Participacoes by 55.6% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,463 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 3,380 shares during the last quarter. Wolverine Trading LLC acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participacoes during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Wealthquest Corp acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participacoes during the first quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participacoes during the first quarter worth about $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.58% of the company's stock.

Ultrapar Participacoes Trading Up 0.1%

UGP traded up $0.01 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $3.64. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,668,301 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,473,005. Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. has a twelve month low of $2.53 and a twelve month high of $4.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $3.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.07. The stock has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a PE ratio of 8.08, a PEG ratio of 3.61 and a beta of 1.11.

Ultrapar Participacoes Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Monday, August 25th will be given a dividend of $0.0555 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 25th. This represents a yield of 360.0%. Ultrapar Participacoes's dividend payout ratio is 22.22%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on UGP. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Scotiabank raised shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $3.20.

Ultrapar Participacoes Profile

Ultrapar Participações SA, through its subsidiaries, operates in the energy and infrastructure business in Brazil. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, in addition to renewable electricity and compressed natural gas. It also operates in the distribution and marketing of gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, natural gas for vehicles, and lubricants; and holds AmPm convenience stores and provides JetOil lubricant services.