Blue Trust Inc. Grows Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 7,109 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 810 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $1,057,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Security National Bank purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Pineridge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $128.61 per share, with a total value of $643,050.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $663,627.60. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Stephens dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $168.00 to $140.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $144.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $140.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.00.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.9 %

UPS traded up $1.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $129.65. 3,255,863 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,253,306. The firm has a market capitalization of $110.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $134.05 and a 200 day moving average of $142.47. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $123.12 and a 12-month high of $172.75.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.20). United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 5.87%. The company had revenue of $21.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.54 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.51 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th will be given a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 19th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.03%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 94.49%.

About United Parcel Service

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.