Highland Capital Management LLC Buys 21,940 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Highland Capital Management LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service (UPS) by 108.4% in the second quarter, owning a total of 42,181 shares valued at approximately $4.26 million.
• Several other institutional investors have also recently adjusted their holdings in UPS, with institutional ownership now at 60.26% of the company’s stock.
• United Parcel Service announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64, yielding 7.6%, despite a modest decline in revenue year-over-year for the latest quarter.

Highland Capital Management LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 108.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 42,181 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 21,940 shares during the quarter. Highland Capital Management LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,258,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 525.0% in the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Hemington Wealth Management raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 68.9% during 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 bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 10,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $878,840. The trade was a 96.90% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Christiana Smith Shi bought 500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 500 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,085. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 17,182 shares of company stock valued at $1,477,382. Insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on UPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $107.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Vertical Research restated a "hold" rating and set a $103.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $98.00 to $91.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d+)" rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Saturday, September 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated a "market perform" rating and set a $96.00 target price (down previously from $125.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Friday, September 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $110.16.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of UPS stock opened at $86.79 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $73.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.92, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.10. The business's fifty day moving average is $86.20 and its 200 day moving average is $95.32. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $145.01. 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 issued 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). The firm had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.90 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.61% and a net margin of 6.34%.United Parcel Service's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th were paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 97.62%.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

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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