Avantax Planning Partners Inc. Purchases 1,361 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Avantax Planning Partners Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 3.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 38,999 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,361 shares during the period. Avantax Planning Partners Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,918,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. IFS Advisors LLC boosted its position in United Parcel Service by 232.3% during the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Sugar Maple Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE UPS opened at $120.67 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $103.07 billion, a PE ratio of 17.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $121.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $127.72. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.40 and a 52-week high of $158.95.

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

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.44%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 97.04%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on UPS shares. Raymond James reduced their price target on United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of United Parcel Service from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $160.00 to $130.00 in a report on Friday, January 31st. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $100.00 to $82.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $138.00.

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.