J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. Boosts Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 147.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 179,320 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 106,782 shares during the period. United Parcel Service accounts for approximately 0.6% of J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $19,723,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UPS. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE UPS opened at $99.21 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $99.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $108.02. The company has a market capitalization of $84.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.21. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $90.55 and a 12 month high of $146.17.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.44% and a return on equity of 40.15%. The company had revenue of $21.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.25 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.43 EPS. United Parcel Service's revenue for the quarter was down .9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 95.63%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Hsbc Global Res lowered shares of United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $100.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $119.13.

United Parcel Service 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.