Northcape Wealth Management LLC Sells 14,905 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Northcape Wealth Management LLC reduced its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 78.0% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,207 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 14,905 shares during the period. Northcape Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $531,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $264,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $303,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 867,132 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $109,345,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Mcdonald Partners LLC raised its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 24,412 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,078,000 after buying an additional 669 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 16.7% in the fourth quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 25,314 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,192,000 after buying an additional 3,626 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Raymond James cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Oppenheimer upped their target price on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $115.45 on Wednesday. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.40 and a 12-month high of $158.95. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $123.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $128.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16. The company has a market cap of $98.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.98.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.23. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 39.13%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.47 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 96.45%.

United Parcel Service Company Profile

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.