United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Acquired by Aberdeen Group plc

Key Points

• Aberdeen Group plc increased its stake in United Parcel Service (UPS) by 30.4%, acquiring an additional 118,818 shares during the first quarter, raising its total holdings to worth approximately $55.99 million.
• UPS reported $1.55 earnings per share for the last quarter, missing analysts' expectations of $1.56, while its revenue was $21.20 billion, surpassing expectations.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, representing a 7.4% yield, with a payout ratio of 97.62%.

Aberdeen Group plc lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 30.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 509,537 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 118,818 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plc owned 0.06% of United Parcel Service worth $55,990,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. BNP Paribas raised United Parcel Service to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 3rd. BNP Paribas Exane raised United Parcel Service from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $100.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 3rd. Barclays decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Bernstein Bank raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $132.00 to $133.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $103.00 to $97.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $112.81.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock opened at $88.52 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $84.28 and a 52-week high of $145.01. The stock's 50 day moving average is $97.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $103.03. The company has a market capitalization of $74.96 billion, a PE ratio of 13.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.12.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $21.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.79 earnings per share. United Parcel Service's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict 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 will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.4%. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 97.62%.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other news, CEO Carol B. Tome bought 11,682 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 1st. The stock was bought at an average price of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at $2,117,591.06. The trade was a 89.61% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was purchased at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 10,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $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 owned by 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.

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