Simmons Bank Sells 735 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Simmons Bank reduced its stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 17.0% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,600 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 735 shares during the period. Simmons Bank’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $491,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in United Parcel Service during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC grew its position in United Parcel Service by 291.7% in the 2nd quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 235 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 720.0% during the 3rd quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 246 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tortoise Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 168.5% in the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 247 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

United Parcel Service stock opened at $133.72 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1-year low of $123.12 and a 1-year high of $163.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.54 billion, a PE ratio of 20.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.99. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $132.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.88.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The transportation company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $22.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.10 billion. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.38% and a net margin of 6.25%. The firm’s revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.57 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.88%. United Parcel Service’s payout ratio is presently 98.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $151.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Baird R W upgraded United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $144.00 price target for the company. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $132.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $151.52.

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.