Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC Buys 3,927 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC increased its stake in UPS by 24.9%, owning 19,680 shares valued at approximately $2.17 million as of the end of the first quarter.
• Institutional ownership in UPS is significant, with 60.26% of the stock currently held by institutional investors and hedge funds, including major stakeholders like Goldman Sachs and Vanguard.
• UPS reported earnings of $1.55 per share for the last quarter, falling short of analysts' expectations, and revealed a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share with a yield of 7.7%.

Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 24.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,680 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,927 shares during the period. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $2,165,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Graham Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the first quarter worth $757,000. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 20.0% in the first quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 3,023 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the period. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 424.9% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,719 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $299,000 after purchasing an additional 2,201 shares during the period. Calton & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the first quarter worth $205,000. Finally, Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the first quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UPS. Oppenheimer reduced 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 report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday. Galvan Research reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 30th. Wolfe Research reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $98.00 to $91.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $112.59.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE UPS traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $85.25. The stock had a trading volume of 7,394,032 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,628,643. The company has a market capitalization of $72.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.08. 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 firm's 50-day moving average price is $93.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $100.50. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $84.28 and a 52 week high of $145.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its 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). 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.79 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.7%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.62%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director Christiana Smith Shi bought 500 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,085. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome bought 11,682 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 24,718 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,117,591.06. The trade was a 89.61% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought a total of 17,182 shares of company stock worth $1,477,382 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

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.