WBI Investments LLC Reduces Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

WBI Investments LLC lessened its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 23.3% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 27,251 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 8,269 shares during the period. WBI Investments LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $2,276,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. CFS Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,268 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $372,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 2,558 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Regal Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,129 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $596,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the period. Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.3% during 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 last quarter. Finally, Winch Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UPS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $88.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Evercore boosted their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $101.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $113.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.15, for a total value of $2,655,236.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $97.79 on Wednesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $122.41. 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 stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $109.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $98.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.03 billion, a PE ratio of 14.91, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.08.

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

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 17th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

United Parcel Service Profile

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.