Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC Has $5.15 Million Stock Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Key Points

• Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service (UPS) by 14.3%, acquiring an additional 5,836 shares, bringing its total to 46,789 shares valued around $5.15 million.
• CEO Carol B. Tome purchased 11,682 shares of UPS stock for about $1 million, boosting her ownership by nearly 90%.
• UPS has announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64, reflecting an annual payout of $6.56 and a dividend yield of 7.6%, while facing a payout ratio of 97.62%.

Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 14.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 46,789 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 5,836 shares during the period. Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $5,146,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of UPS. Gallacher Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth about $620,000. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 61.3% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,576 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $173,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 5.9% during the first quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,467 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $381,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Resource Council acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth about $437,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 10,160 shares in the company, valued at $878,840. The trade was a 96.90% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome bought 11,682 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,117,591.06. This represents a 89.61% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:UPS traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $86.65. 6,275,090 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,095,052. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $84.28 and a fifty-two week high of $145.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $98.23 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $104.63. The firm has a market cap of $73.38 billion, a PE ratio of 12.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.12.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 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 analyst estimates of $20.90 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.61% and a net margin of 6.34%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current 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 issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.6%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UPS. Stephens reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Loop Capital reduced their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have issued a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price 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.