United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Acquired by Essex Financial Services Inc.

Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 38.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,415 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,608 shares during the quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,036,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Skylands Capital LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service by 24.7% during the 1st quarter. Skylands Capital LLC now owns 50,145 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $5,515,000 after purchasing an additional 9,945 shares in the last quarter. Northcape Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.9% in the first quarter. Northcape Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,415 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $486,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the period. Emerald Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 17.0% in the first quarter. Emerald Advisors LLC now owns 7,292 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $802,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the first quarter worth $206,000. Finally, Cohen Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 789.7% in the first quarter. Cohen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 168,970 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $18,585,000 after acquiring an additional 149,979 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $111.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Susquehanna lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $120.00 to $110.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $127.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $120.26.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $101.22 on Monday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $90.55 and a 12-month high of $148.15. The stock has a market cap of $85.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.76, a PEG ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $98.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $110.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.11. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.44% and a return on equity of 40.15%. The firm had revenue of $21.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $21.25 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. United Parcel Service's revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is presently 95.63%.

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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