Avantax Advisory Services Inc. Boosts Stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Avantax Advisory Services raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 14.6% to 94,361 shares (about $9.53 million), and institutional investors now own 60.26% of the company as several other funds also increased holdings.
• Analysts are mostly neutral with a consensus "Hold" rating and a $110 price target, though individual views vary (e.g., Truist $120 buy vs. Deutsche Bank $88 hold).
• UPS declared a quarterly dividend of $1.64 (annualized $6.56) for a 7.0% yield101.39%, meaning dividends exceed reported earnings.

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 94,361 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 12,035 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $9,525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Andra AP fonden lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 95.9% in the second quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 332,983 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $33,611,000 after acquiring an additional 163,000 shares during the period. Equity Investment Corp increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 16.8% during the 2nd quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 1,130,550 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $114,118,000 after purchasing an additional 162,364 shares during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 8.3% in the 2nd quarter. Founders Capital Management LLC now owns 111,405 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $11,245,000 after purchasing an additional 8,579 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 10.9% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 49,712 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $5,018,000 after buying an additional 4,885 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gallacher Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at approximately $620,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $88.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $114.00 to $100.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Truist Financial upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wall Street Zen raised United Parcel Service from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $110.00.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director Christiana Smith Shi purchased 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $88.17 per share, with a total value of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,085. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock opened at $94.20 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.30. The company's fifty day moving average price is $88.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.86. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $138.67. The company has a market capitalization of $79.84 billion, a PE ratio of 14.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.11.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.43. The company had revenue of $21.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.94 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.15% and a return on equity of 40.07%. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.76 earnings per share. United Parcel Service has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 101.39%.

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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