South Dakota Investment Council Raises Stock Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

South Dakota Investment Council raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 52.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 270,150 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 92,604 shares during the period. South Dakota Investment Council’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $22,566,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd raised its position in United Parcel Service by 110.1% during the 2nd quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Europe Ltd now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Salzhauer Michael purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in United Parcel Service by 76.5% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 376 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the second quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Avion Wealth boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 284.1% in the third quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 434 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 321 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UPS opened at $114.40 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $109.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $97.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The company has a market capitalization of $97.14 billion, a PE ratio of 17.44, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.08. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $82.00 and a 1-year high of $123.70.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $24.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.91 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. United Parcel Service’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.75 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.7%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 100.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. TD Cowen upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. HSBC raised United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $113.67.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total value of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.