United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS Stake Lifted by Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 550.8% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 204,274 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 172,887 shares during the quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $20,096,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. WealthShield Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 5.4% during the first quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC now owns 25,067 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,466,000 after buying an additional 1,287 shares during the last quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 58.8% in the 1st quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 5,357 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $527,000 after buying an additional 1,984 shares in the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in United Parcel Service by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,653 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $556,000 after buying an additional 241 shares in the last quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 10,473 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,030,000 after acquiring an additional 1,230 shares during the period. Finally, Candriam S.C.A. raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 29.6% during the 1st quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 91,015 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $8,954,000 after acquiring an additional 20,791 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS stock opened at $112.74 on Tuesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $82.00 and a one year high of $122.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $105.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $105.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.83 billion, a PE ratio of 18.24, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.95% and a net margin of 5.94%.The business had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.49 earnings per share. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.11 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Monday, May 18th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on UPS shares. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Friday. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Evercore dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $113.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $111.10.

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.