Carlson Capital L.P. Takes $735,000 Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Carlson Capital L.P. bought a new position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 8,800 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $735,000. United Parcel Service accounts for 0.3% of Carlson Capital L.P.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 63.8% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,529,000 after acquiring an additional 4,723 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter worth $277,000. Valmark Advisers Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.7% during the second quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 4,543 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $459,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 64.7% during the second quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 14,805 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,494,000 after buying an additional 5,814 shares during the period. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 35,675 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,601,000 after purchasing an additional 1,587 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $122.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. HSBC upgraded United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $113.67.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 25,014 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS opened at $117.36 on Friday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $103.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $94.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The firm has a market cap of $99.57 billion, a PE ratio of 17.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.11. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $82.00 and a 12-month high of $123.70.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The transportation company reported $2.38 earnings per share 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.91 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.75 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.6%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.