Prudential PLC Decreases Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Key Points

• Prudential PLC significantly reduced its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) by 64.3% in the first quarter, owning 10,514 shares worth approximately $1.16 million after selling 18,926 shares.
• CEO Carol B. Tome made a notable purchase of 11,682 shares at $85.67 each, amplifying her ownership by 89.61%.
• Wall Street analysts have lowered their price targets for UPS, with consensus ratings indicating a generally "Hold" stance, amid expectations of a 7.95 EPS for the year.

Prudential PLC decreased its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 64.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 10,514 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 18,926 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,156,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Gallacher Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $620,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew 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 worth $173,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 3,467 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $381,000 after buying an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisor Resource Council purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at about $437,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on UPS shares. UBS Group decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $118.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Argus dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $98.00 to $91.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $120.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Bernstein Bank increased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $132.00 to $133.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $112.81.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $88.52. 8,843,256 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,459,618. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $84.28 and a 1 year high of $145.01. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $97.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $102.82. The stock has a market cap of $74.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.17, a PEG ratio of 1.62 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 earnings per share (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 company had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.79 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

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

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.