Bell Bank Boosts Stock Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Bell Bank increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) by 52.6% in the second quarter, owning a total of 113,299 shares valued at approximately $11.4 million.
• Recent insider transactions included purchases by Director William R. Johnson, who acquired 5,000 shares totaling $432,500, and CEO Carol B. Tome, who bought 11,682 shares worth nearly $1 million.
• UPS announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share with an impressive annual yield of 7.8%, while maintaining a high dividend payout ratio of 97.62%.

Bell Bank increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 52.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 113,299 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 39,069 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for approximately 0.5% of Bell Bank's portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Bell Bank's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $11,436,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Gallacher Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth about $620,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 61.3% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,576 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $173,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,467 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $381,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Resource Council purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth about $437,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome acquired 11,682 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 1st. The shares were acquired at an average cost 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 $2,117,591.06. This represents a 89.61% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders acquired 17,182 shares of company stock valued at $1,477,382. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of UPS opened at $84.14 on Friday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $89.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.81. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $145.01. The stock has a market cap of $71.31 billion, a PE ratio of 12.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current 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 the consensus estimate 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 the consensus estimate of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.8%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 97.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Argus cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Wolfe Research lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $107.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Wall Street Zen cut United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Vertical Research restated a "hold" rating and issued a $103.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $111.44.

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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