Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. Purchases 1,832 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 2.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 66,445 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,832 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $8,379,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. AMF Tjanstepension AB raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 39.7% during the third quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 108,360 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $14,793,000 after acquiring an additional 30,815 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its position in United Parcel Service by 7.4% during the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 149,220 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $20,345,000 after purchasing an additional 10,227 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,680 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $774,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Callan Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 23.2% during the 3rd quarter. Callan Family Office LLC now owns 1,854 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 0.7% during the third quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 22,522 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,071,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS opened at $111.95 on Thursday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $127.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $129.69. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.40 and a 52-week high of $158.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 period in the previous year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.61 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.86%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 96.45%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Barclays reissued an “underweight” rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.73.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In other United Parcel Service news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 45,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This trade represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

United Parcel Service 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.