B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG Acquires 13,689 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) by 29.1%, purchasing an additional 13,689 shares, bringing its total holdings to 60,749 shares worth approximately $6.68 million.
• Several analysts have lowered their price targets for UPS, with estimates ranging from $101 to $150, indicating a cautious outlook as the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold."
• Insiders have been actively buying shares, with Director William R. Johnson and CEO Carol B. Tome increasing their positions significantly, showcasing confidence in the company.

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 29.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 60,749 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 13,689 shares during the quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $6,682,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in 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 worth $27,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hemington Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 68.9% in the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE UPS traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $87.54. 6,834,049 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,279,527. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market cap of $74.20 billion, a PE ratio of 13.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.12. The company's fifty day moving average is $94.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $101.11. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $84.28 and a fifty-two week high of $145.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued 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 analyst estimates of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.79 earnings per share. United Parcel Service's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is presently 97.62%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UPS shares. HSBC cut shares of United Parcel Service from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $140.00 to $105.00 in a report on Thursday, May 1st. BNP Paribas Exane raised United Parcel Service from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $100.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Argus decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $114.00 to $100.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $98.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Tuesday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $112.81.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, Director Christiana Smith Shi acquired 500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 500 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,085. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was acquired 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 of the company's stock, valued at $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 17,182 shares of company stock worth $1,477,382. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

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.