National Pension Service Raises Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

National Pension Service raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 20.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,556,868 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 260,177 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned approximately 0.18% of United Parcel Service worth $196,321,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC now owns 4,255 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $537,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the period. Daner Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $1,306,000. Pinnacle West Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 10.8% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle West Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,050 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $889,000 after buying an additional 690 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 134.5% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 66,148 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $8,341,000 after buying an additional 37,936 shares during the period. Finally, FourThought Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $202,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UPS opened at $116.83 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $122.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.19. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $109.40 and a twelve month high of $158.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.79 billion, a PE ratio of 17.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.47 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on UPS shares. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com cut shares of United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.73.

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.