United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS Stock Holdings Raised by Van ECK Associates Corp

Key Points

• Van ECK Associates increased its UPS stake by 20.4% in Q3 to 3,654,004 shares worth about $305.2 million (≈0.43% of the company), while institutional investors own roughly 60.26% of the stock.
• UPS beat Q results with EPS of $2.38 versus $2.20 expected and revenue of $24.48B vs. $23.91B, though revenue was down 3.2% year-over-year; the company also pays a quarterly dividend of $1.64 (annualized $6.56) for a 6.6% yield and a 100% payout ratio.
• Multiple analysts raised price targets (several to $110–$115), but the consensus rating remains Hold with a $113.67 price target.

Van ECK Associates Corp grew its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 20.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,654,004 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 619,716 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp owned approximately 0.43% of United Parcel Service worth $305,219,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 63.8% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,529,000 after buying an additional 4,723 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $277,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $848,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 12.2% during the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 4,041 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 10.9% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 49,712 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $5,018,000 after purchasing an additional 4,885 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total transaction of $2,655,236.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on UPS shares. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $107.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Stephens boosted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $113.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $113.67.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of UPS opened at $99.87 on Tuesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $123.70. The stock's fifty day moving average is $110.09 and its 200-day moving average is $97.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.08.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $24.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.91 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. United Parcel Service's revenue was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.75 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.6%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%.

United Parcel Service Profile

United Parcel Service NYSE: UPS is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.

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