Kestra Advisory Services LLC Increases Stock Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 21.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 125,985 shares of the transportation company’s stock after buying an additional 22,612 shares during the quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $18,725,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Security National Bank acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Parcel Service

In related news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $128.61 per share, for a total transaction of $643,050.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,160 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $663,627.60. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of UPS stock traded up $1.75 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $128.83. 7,271,324 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,001,099. The stock has a market capitalization of $110.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.98. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $124.80 and a one year high of $189.65. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $137.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $145.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.25.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.79 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.20). United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 5.87%. The firm had revenue of $21.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.54 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 13th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.06%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 10th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.49%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $134.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Stephens dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $168.00 to $140.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $140.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Redburn Atlantic upgraded United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $180.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 3rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $154.95.

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.