MetLife Investment Management LLC Trims Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• MetLife Investment Management LLC has reduced its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. by 1.9%, now holding 189,917 shares worth approximately $20.89 million.
• Director William R. Johnson and CEO Carol B. Tome both significantly increased their ownership in UPS, purchasing 5,000 and 11,682 shares respectively, with notable increases in their respective holdings.
• United Parcel Service has recently declared a $1.64 dividend per share, resulting in an annualized yield of 7.4%, though its dividend payout ratio stands at 97.62%.

MetLife Investment Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 1.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 189,917 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 3,622 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $20,889,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the 1st quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $86.50 per share, for a total transaction of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome purchased 11,682 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 24,718 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 3.0%

NYSE:UPS opened at $88.7140 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The stock's fifty day moving average is $95.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $101.85. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $84.28 and a 52 week high of $145.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $75.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.12.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 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 firm had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is 97.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on UPS shares. Hsbc Global Res cut United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Redburn Atlantic lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $137.00 to $117.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Galvan Research lowered their target price on United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 30th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $103.00 to $97.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.

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