National Bank of Canada FI Decreases Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Key Points

• National Bank of Canada FI reduced its stake in United Parcel Service (UPS) by 45.7%, selling 198,531 shares during the first quarter, while holding a total of 235,419 shares valued at approximately $25.9 million.
• UPS shares recently traded down 0.4%, with the stock currently priced at $86.32 and a market cap of $73.10 billion, while analysts project an average target price of $112.81.
• UPS declared a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, representing an annualized yield of 7.6%, with a payout ratio of approximately 97.62%.

National Bank of Canada FI lowered its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 45.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 235,419 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 198,531 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $25,893,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UPS. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $118.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. BNP Paribas raised shares of United Parcel Service to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $117.00 to $107.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $112.81.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of UPS traded up $1.09 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $87.40. The company's stock had a trading volume of 7,306,843 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,425,699. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $84.28 and a one year high of $145.01. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $98.02 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $103.91. 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 has a market capitalization of $74.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.12.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.56 by ($0.01). The company 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 firm's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.79 earnings per share. As a group, equities 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 company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.5%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 97.62%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service 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 of the company's stock, valued at $878,840. This represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome bought 11,682 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost 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. The trade was 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 currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.