United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Shares Sold by Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC

Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC reduced its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 24.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 73,257 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 24,348 shares during the period. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $11,518,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UPS. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares during the period. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other United Parcel Service news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at $199,220. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an "in-line" rating and set a $154.00 price objective on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Redburn Atlantic raised United Parcel Service from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $180.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on United Parcel Service from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised United Parcel Service from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their price objective for the company from $165.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Friday, February 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $165.61.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 2.8 %

Shares of NYSE:UPS traded down $4.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $144.87. The company's stock had a trading volume of 4,121,111 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,340,167. The firm has a market cap of $123.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.68 and a 1 year high of $197.80. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $149.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $151.58.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $24.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.46% and a net margin of 7.37%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.62 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.21 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.50%. This is an increase from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. United Parcel Service's payout ratio is currently 83.70%.

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.