Calton & Associates Inc. Increases Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Calton & Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 78.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,042 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,659 shares during the period. Calton & Associates Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $824,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. TruNorth Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Stephens Consulting LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 869.6% during the 1st quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 223 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 291.7% during the 2nd quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tortoise Investment Management LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 168.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded down $0.87 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $130.46. 150,816 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,168,324. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $123.12 and a 52-week high of $163.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a fifty day moving average of $130.34 and a 200-day moving average of $136.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $21.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.54 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 19th were paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 19th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 106.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on UPS. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $144.00 target price on the stock. Baird R W raised United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $159.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $151.05.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director William R. Johnson bought 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were acquired 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $663,627.60. This represents a 3,100.00 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

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.