Lathrop Investment Management Corp Lowers Stock Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Lathrop Investment Management Corp lessened its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 5.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 63,939 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 3,586 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service accounts for approximately 2.1% of Lathrop Investment Management Corp’s holdings, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Lathrop Investment Management Corp’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $10,053,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of UPS. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC raised its position in United Parcel Service by 69.5% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 239 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UPS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Argus lowered United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. TheStreet raised United Parcel Service from a “c” rating to a “b-” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. Raymond James cut their price target on United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on United Parcel Service from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $165.23.

Insider Transactions at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $199,220. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

NYSE UPS traded up $0.20 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $147.59. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 2,607,558 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,897,331. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $149.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $150.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $133.68 and a 1 year high of $192.98. The company has a market capitalization of $125.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.38, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.05.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $21.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $21.84 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.42% and a net margin of 6.60%. The firm’s revenue was down 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.20 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.42%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 94.49%.

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.