American Century Companies Inc. Sells 374,585 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. reduced its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. by 9.5%, selling 374,585 shares and now owning approximately 3.58 million shares valued at $394 million.
• United Parcel Service recently reported earnings, posting $1.55 EPS for the quarter, slightly below estimates, while total revenue came in at $21.20 billion, exceeding expectations.
• The company will pay a quarterly dividend of $1.64 on September 4th, reflecting an annualized dividend of $6.56 and a yield of 7.4%.

American Century Companies Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 9.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,584,419 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 374,585 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned about 0.42% of United Parcel Service worth $394,250,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the 1st quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $88.70 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.32. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $84.28 and a 1-year high of $145.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.12. The company's 50-day moving average is $97.43 and its 200 day moving average is $103.36.

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

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 97.62%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Loop Capital dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. BNP Paribas raised shares of United Parcel Service to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $107.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $117.00 to $107.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Galvan Research decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $112.81.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

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

United Parcel Service Company 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.

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