KBC Group NV Acquires 108,386 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

KBC Group NV increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 82.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 239,471 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 108,386 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $30,197,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quarry LP boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 453.6% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 537 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 440 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 8.3% during the 2nd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 24,205 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,312,000 after buying an additional 1,863 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 30.3% in the 2nd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 26,943 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,687,000 after buying an additional 6,265 shares during the period. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $363,000. Finally, Founders Financial Alliance LLC raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Founders Financial Alliance LLC now owns 5,053 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $691,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Monday, October 21st. StockNews.com raised United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $134.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Bank of America raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $151.24.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock opened at $135.46 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $115.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.00. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $128.97 and its 200 day moving average is $130.75. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $121.56 and a 52 week high of $158.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.81%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of United Parcel Service 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,249,229.86. The trade was a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.