United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Stake Lifted by Eliot Finkel Investment Counsel LLC

Key Points

• Eliot Finkel Investment Counsel LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service (UPS) by 7.9%, now holding 40,590 shares valued at approximately $4.46 million.
• Following a mixed response from analysts, Wells Fargo lowered its target price for UPS from $98 to $91, while other firms adjusted their ratings and price targets for the stock.
• In recent insider transactions, CEO Carol B. Tome bought 11,682 shares, boosting her ownership significantly, and Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance.

Eliot Finkel Investment Counsel LLC boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 7.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 40,590 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,975 shares during the period. United Parcel Service makes up approximately 3.0% of Eliot Finkel Investment Counsel LLC's holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Eliot Finkel Investment Counsel LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,464,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 63.8% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,529,000 after acquiring an additional 4,723 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $248,000. OneAscent Financial Services LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 13.5% during the 4th quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 2,571 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $324,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 19,616 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,474,000 after purchasing an additional 1,941 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $336,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $98.00 to $91.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. DA Davidson decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research 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. Bank of America reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $98.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Argus dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $112.81.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, CEO Carol B. Tome acquired 11,682 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $85.67 per share, with a total value of $1,000,796.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly 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 filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $86.50 per share, for a total transaction of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.9%

United Parcel Service stock opened at $84.54 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.59 billion, a PE ratio of 12.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.12. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $84.28 and a twelve month high of $145.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The company has a 50 day moving average of $99.32 and a 200-day moving average of $106.14.

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). 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 analyst estimates of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.79 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is 97.62%.

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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