Romano Brothers AND Company Purchases 3,957 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Romano Brothers AND Company boosted its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 7.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 59,857 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 3,957 shares during the period. United Parcel Service accounts for approximately 0.9% of Romano Brothers AND Company's portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest position. Romano Brothers AND Company's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $6,584,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $1,075,393,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth approximately $393,680,000. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in United Parcel Service by 15.6% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 10,979,909 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,384,567,000 after buying an additional 1,484,452 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 77.7% during the fourth quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,150,901 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $397,329,000 after buying an additional 1,378,136 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,264,665 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,933,674,000 after acquiring an additional 1,337,058 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Susquehanna lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $110.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Friday, March 7th. They set a "hold" rating and a $119.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $145.00 to $124.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Loop Capital cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $120.26.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.49 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $98.57. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,930,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,143,216. The company has a market cap of $83.47 billion, a PE ratio of 14.58, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $98.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $114.61. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.55 and a 12-month high of $148.15.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $21.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.13% and a net margin of 6.35%. The firm's revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. Analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 19th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.66%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is currently 95.63%.

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.