FORA Capital LLC Boosts Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• FORA Capital LLC boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 135.2% in Q3, purchasing 34,152 shares to hold 59,406 shares worth about $4.96 million, making UPS 0.9% of the fund’s portfolio and its 18th-largest holding.
• In its most recent quarter UPS reported EPS of $2.38 vs. $2.20 expected and revenue of $24.48 billion vs. $23.91 billion expected, though revenue was down 3.2% year‑over‑year; the company has a market cap of roughly $82.6 billion and a P/E of about 14.8.
• UPS recently paid an annualized dividend of $6.56 for a yield of 6.7% with a payout ratio of 100%, while analysts have lifted several price targets but the consensus rating remains Hold with a consensus target of $113.67 (top targets up to $130).

FORA Capital LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 135.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 59,406 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 34,152 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for 0.9% of FORA Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. FORA Capital LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,962,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 110.1% during the second quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Salzhauer Michael purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in United Parcel Service by 76.5% in the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 376 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Avion Wealth raised its position in United Parcel Service by 284.1% during the 3rd quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 434 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 321 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $107.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $113.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $97.27 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $122.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.83, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.08. The company's fifty day moving average is $110.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $97.88.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $24.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.91 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. The business's revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.75 EPS. Analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.7%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service NYSE: UPS is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.

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