Easterly Investment Partners LLC Buys 58,289 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Easterly Investment Partners LLC significantly increased its stake in United Parcel Service (UPS) by purchasing an additional 58,289 shares, raising its total holdings to 62,605 shares worth approximately $6.32 million.
• UPS reported a quarterly EPS of $1.55, slightly below analysts' expectations of $1.56, with revenues of $21.20 billion, down 2.7% year-over-year.
• The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, reflecting a 7.7% yield, with a high payout ratio of 97.62%.

Easterly Investment Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 1,350.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,605 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 58,289 shares during the period. Easterly Investment Partners LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $6,319,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 525.0% in 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 period. Hemington Wealth Management boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 68.9% in the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UPS opened at $85.66 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $72.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.10. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $85.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $93.73. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $82.00 and a fifty-two week high of $145.01. 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 (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 EPS 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 company had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.90 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.79 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. 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 firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is 97.62%.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director Christiana Smith Shi acquired 500 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The stock was purchased 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 directly owned 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,085. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome purchased 11,682 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at $2,117,591.06. This represents a 89.61% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased 17,182 shares of company stock worth $1,477,382 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $114.00 to $112.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $114.00 to $100.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 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 on the stock in a report on Monday, June 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $109.31.

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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