Professional Advisory Services Inc. Has $25.57 Million Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Professional Advisory Services Inc. reduced its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 0.6% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 202,811 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 1,317 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for about 3.5% of Professional Advisory Services Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Professional Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $25,574,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. Butensky & Cohen Financial Security Inc. lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. Butensky & Cohen Financial Security Inc. now owns 30,392 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,832,000 after acquiring an additional 1,936 shares during the period. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 87.0% in the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services now owns 59,031 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $7,444,000 after purchasing an additional 27,472 shares in the last quarter. Avanza Fonder AB bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $9,999,000. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 20.9% in the 4th quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 58,003 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $7,314,000 after purchasing an additional 10,041 shares during the period. Finally, Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 2,876 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $363,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE:UPS opened at $129.77 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $110.74 billion, a PE ratio of 19.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.00. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $121.56 and a 12 month high of $161.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $129.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $130.97.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.10 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. United Parcel Service’s revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.57 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.49 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is 98.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on UPS. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $151.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Bank of America upgraded United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $151.10.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.