World Investment Advisors Raises Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

World Investment Advisors lifted its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 260.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 78,577 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 56,772 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors’ holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $6,564,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.9% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,557 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $258,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Bangor Savings Bank increased its holdings in United Parcel Service by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 5,413 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $546,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. First Dallas Securities Inc. raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. First Dallas Securities Inc. now owns 11,421 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,256,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 3.4% during the first quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,185 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $350,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wright Investors Service Inc. boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.3% in the second quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. now owns 7,861 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $793,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UPS. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and set a $96.00 target price (down previously from $125.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Stephens raised United Parcel Service to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. UBS Group increased their target price on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $88.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $110.09.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

NYSE UPS opened at $100.58 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.30. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $82.00 and a 1-year high of $136.99. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $95.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $92.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $85.33 billion, a PE ratio of 15.54, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.11.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.43. The firm had revenue of $21.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.94 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 40.07% and a net margin of 6.15%.The company’s quarterly revenue was down 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.76 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 101.39%.

About United Parcel Service

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.