Xponance Inc. Boosts Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Xponance Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 4.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 128,294 shares of the transportation company's stock after acquiring an additional 5,524 shares during the quarter. Xponance Inc.'s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $20,172,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. RB Capital Management LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 3.1% in the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 2,689 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $577,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth approximately $1,162,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 10.0% in the first quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,233 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $264,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the first quarter valued at approximately $515,000. Finally, Stevens Capital Management LP acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the first quarter valued at approximately $701,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 1,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on UPS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Barclays cut their price objective on 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on 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. Oppenheimer restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $153.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Finally, Susquehanna restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $165.61.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:UPS traded up $0.49 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $142.74. 3,290,310 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,309,589. The firm has a market cap of $121.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.32, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $133.68 and a 52-week high of $197.80. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $149.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $151.28.

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

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.57%. This is an increase 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 payout ratio is 83.70%.

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.