Verdence Capital Advisors LLC Sells 20,511 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Verdence Capital Advisors LLC reduced its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. by 37.6%, selling 20,511 shares during the second quarter, leaving them with 34,043 shares valued at approximately $3.4 million.
• United Parcel Service recently reported Q2 earnings of $1.55 per share, slightly missing estimates, with revenue down 2.7% year-over-year at $21.2 billion.
• Institutional investors control 60.26% of UPS's stock, indicating a strong level of interest from large financial entities in the company.

Verdence Capital Advisors LLC reduced its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 37.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 34,043 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 20,511 shares during the quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $3,436,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% in the 1st 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. Hemington Wealth Management grew its position in United Parcel Service by 68.9% in the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the first quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 2.7%

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $82.97 on Monday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $145.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $85.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $94.22. The firm has a market cap of $70.32 billion, a PE ratio of 12.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 the consensus estimate of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.9%. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.62%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on UPS shares. Wall Street Zen cut United Parcel Service from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, September 20th. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Vertical Research reiterated a "hold" rating and set a $103.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d+)" rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $109.38.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $86.50 per share, for a total transaction of $432,500.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at $878,840. This trade represents a 96.90% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Carol B. Tome acquired 11,682 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost 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 of the company's stock, valued at $2,117,591.06. This represents a 89.61% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders purchased 17,182 shares of company stock valued at $1,477,382. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

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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