Zhang Financial LLC Sells 324 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Zhang Financial LLC trimmed its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 8.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,375 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 324 shares during the period. Zhang Financial LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $531,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its stake 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 buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $142.77 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $149.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $151.19. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $133.68 and a 12 month high of $197.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $121.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.33, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results 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 analysts’ expectations 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 was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.62 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.57%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 83.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. TheStreet upgraded United Parcel Service from a “c” rating to a “b-” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. HSBC dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. Susquehanna reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. Argus downgraded United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Evercore ISI reiterated an “in-line” rating and set a $154.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $165.61.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the company’s 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $199,220. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company 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.