United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS Shares Sold by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. cut its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 2.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 368,899 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 8,516 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $30,853,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.6% during the third quarter. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,268 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $372,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Center for Financial Planning Inc. increased its position in United Parcel Service by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 2,558 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $214,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 5,163 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $431,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the period. Winch Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 37.3% during the 3rd quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 456 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Country Trust Bank lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 2,747 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $277,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of UPS stock opened at $97.84 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $83.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.91, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $110.12 and a 200 day moving average price of $97.81. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $122.41.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.18. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 38.30%. The firm had revenue of $24.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $23.91 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.75 EPS. United Parcel Service’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the topic of several recent research reports. BNP Paribas Exane cut shares of United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $85.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $96.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Bank of America upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $114.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $113.67.

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.