Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Decreases Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. reduced its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. by 22.8%, owning 39,160 shares worth approximately $4.3 million after selling 11,580 shares in the first quarter.
• United Parcel Service reported a net margin of 6.34% and revenue of $21.20 billion for its most recent quarter, which was above analyst estimates but resulted in a year-over-year earnings decline.
• UPS announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, yielding 7.5%, with a high dividend payout ratio of 97.62% reflecting strong returns to shareholders.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. trimmed its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 22.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,160 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 11,580 shares during the period. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,306,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% in the first 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 in the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $86.9280 on Thursday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $84.28 and a 12-month high of $145.01. The stock has a market cap of $73.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.94, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $96.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $102.33. 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 (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 6.34% and a return on equity of 39.61%. The company had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.79 earnings per share. United Parcel Service's revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.5%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UPS. Bernstein Bank raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $132.00 to $133.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Oppenheimer decreased 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 research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Stifel Canada decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $124.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Galvan Research cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $112.81.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

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

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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