Vident Advisory LLC Buys 6,296 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Vident Advisory LLC increased its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. by 31.7% in the first quarter, owning 26,142 shares valued at approximately $2.87 million.
• Directors of UPS have recently purchased shares, including Director Christiana Smith Shi, who acquired 500 shares, and William R. Johnson, who bought 5,000 shares, significantly increasing their stakes in the company.
• UPS announced a quarterly dividend of $1.64 per share, yielding approximately 7.5%, with a dividend payout ratio currently at 97.62%.

Vident Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 31.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 26,142 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 6,296 shares during the quarter. Vident Advisory LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $2,875,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in United Parcel Service by 1.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 66,136,226 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $7,274,323,000 after acquiring an additional 999,832 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 25,045,472 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $2,754,751,000 after buying an additional 1,780,807 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 124.0% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,011,107 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $991,132,000 after buying an additional 4,988,044 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,415,523 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $815,633,000 after buying an additional 23,918 shares during the period. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 1,056.6% in the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,336,175 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $476,936,000 after buying an additional 3,961,255 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.3%

NYSE:UPS traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $87.54. 6,834,049 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,057,620. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $94.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $100.71. 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 fifty-two week low of $84.28 and a fifty-two week high of $145.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.03, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.08.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last posted 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 prior year, the business earned $1.79 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 7.5%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Carol B. Tome purchased 11,682 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The stock was purchased at an average price of $85.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,000,796.94. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 24,718 shares in the company, valued at $2,117,591.06. This trade represents a 89.61% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 10,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $878,840. The trade was a 96.90% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders bought 17,182 shares of company stock worth $1,477,382. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. BNP Paribas raised shares of United Parcel Service to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Wolfe Research decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $112.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Bank of America reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $98.00 target price on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $112.81.

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.