United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) Stock Position Lowered by Liberty Capital Management Inc.

Liberty Capital Management Inc. decreased its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 14.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,035 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 500 shares during the period. Liberty Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $383,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stiles Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 16.1% during the fourth quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 11,985 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,511,000 after buying an additional 1,663 shares in the last quarter. HTLF Bank grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. HTLF Bank now owns 41,845 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $5,277,000 after acquiring an additional 782 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $77,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 9.7% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 78,852 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $9,943,000 after purchasing an additional 6,943 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 6.5% during the fourth quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 20,191 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,546,000 after purchasing an additional 1,237 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Baird R W downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 23rd. UBS Group lowered their price target on United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $141.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.73.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $113.20 on Monday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $109.40 and a 12 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 company has a market cap of $96.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.98. The business’s 50 day moving average is $125.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $129.25.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 quarter last year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.99 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.80%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 96.45%.

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.