River Road Asset Management LLC Lowers Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

River Road Asset Management LLC decreased its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 17.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 243,616 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 50,231 shares during the quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $38,304,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,889,570 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,456,055,000 after acquiring an additional 628,944 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 15,631.2% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 14,502,261 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,280,190,000 after acquiring an additional 14,410,073 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 31.7% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,677,202 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,508,385,000 after acquiring an additional 2,331,875 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,273,417 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,988,777,000 after acquiring an additional 54,401 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 33.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,730,090 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,343,799,000 after acquiring an additional 1,949,775 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded down $0.64 on Wednesday, reaching $142.25. The stock had a trading volume of 4,120,924 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,321,429. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.68 and a 1 year high of $197.80. The company has a market cap of $121.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The business's 50 day moving average is $149.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is $151.34.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.46 by $0.01. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The firm had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.62 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.58%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service's previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is 83.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on UPS. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $183.00 to $179.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of United Parcel Service from an "outperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $155.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, December 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $165.61.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.