Forza Wealth Management LLC Takes Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Forza Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 4,670 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $471,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 68.9% during the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Flaharty Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter worth about $33,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.2%

UPS stock opened at $83.46 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $87.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $96.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.74 billion, a PE ratio of 12.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.08. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $82.00 and a 12 month high of $145.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.32.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.56 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.90 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.34% and a return on equity of 39.61%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Monday, August 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 18th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.9%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 97.62%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on UPS shares. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of United Parcel Service to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, September 20th. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and set a $96.00 target price (down from $125.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Galvan Research lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $124.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 30th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $100.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $111.38.

Insider Activity at United Parcel Service

In other news, Director William R. Johnson acquired 5,000 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $86.50 per share, with a total value of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 10,160 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $878,840. This represents a 96.90% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Christiana Smith Shi acquired 500 shares of United Parcel Service stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $88.17 per share, for a total transaction of $44,085.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $44,085. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have bought 17,182 shares of company stock valued at $1,477,382. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

About United Parcel Service

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.