Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd Makes New Investment in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 12,483 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,574,000.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. South Dakota Investment Council grew its position in United Parcel Service by 42.9% in the fourth quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 117,820 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $14,857,000 after acquiring an additional 35,370 shares in the last quarter. World Equity Group Inc. grew its position in United Parcel Service by 87.8% in the fourth quarter. World Equity Group Inc. now owns 5,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $638,000 after acquiring an additional 2,367 shares in the last quarter. Delta Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,098,000. Howard Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 13.5% during the 4th quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,182 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $906,000 after buying an additional 852 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $120,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on UPS. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna decreased 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 report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $141.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $140.73.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of UPS stock opened at $118.11 on Wednesday. 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 cap of $100.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 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. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $122.78 and a 200-day moving average of $128.27.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business posted $2.47 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.55%. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 97.04%.

United Parcel Service Company 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.