Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC Buys New Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Key Points

• Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC has acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service (UPS), purchasing 272,593 shares valued at approximately $29.98 million in the first quarter.
• UPS recently declared a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, representing an annualized dividend of $6.56 and a yield of 7.4%.
• Despite a revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, UPS reported earnings per share that missed analysts' expectations, indicating potential concerns about the company's financial performance.

Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 272,593 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $29,983,000.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its position in United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 210 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock opened at $88.52 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $74.96 billion, a PE ratio of 13.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.12. The company's fifty day moving average price is $97.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $103.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.32. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $84.28 and a one year high of $145.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.56 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.90 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.34% and a return on equity of 39.61%. United Parcel Service's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.79 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 firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.4%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 97.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Parcel Service news, CEO Carol B. Tome purchased 11,682 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $85.67 per share, with a total value of $1,000,796.94. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at $2,117,591.06. This trade represents a 89.61% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $86.50 per share, for a total transaction of $432,500.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UPS has been the subject of several recent research reports. HSBC lowered shares of United Parcel Service from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and cut their target price for the company from $140.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. DA Davidson lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Argus lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Stephens lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $101.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 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 given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $112.81.

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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