AM Investment Strategies LLC Grows Stock Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

AM Investment Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 16.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,293 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,898 shares during the period. United Parcel Service makes up 0.6% of AM Investment Strategies LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest holding. AM Investment Strategies LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $2,090,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Life Planning Partners Inc purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC boosted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 69.5% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 239 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on UPS. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI reiterated an “in-line” rating and issued a $154.00 price target on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, March 27th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group upgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $160.00 to $175.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $154.00 to $150.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have given a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $166.96.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:UPS traded up $0.83 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $147.45. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 3,553,246 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,351,563. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $133.68 and a 52 week high of $192.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The company has a market capitalization of $125.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.05. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $149.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $151.01.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.33 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $21.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.84 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.60% and a return on equity of 37.42%. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.20 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.2 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto bought 1,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.