Mizuho Securities USA LLC Boosts Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Mizuho Securities USA LLC raised its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 45.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 69,317 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 21,818 shares during the quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $8,741,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $6,434,000. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 382.8% during the 4th quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 68,310 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $8,614,000 after purchasing an additional 54,161 shares during the last quarter. ZEGA Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $285,000. Sciencast Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $3,049,000. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Trading Down 1.5 %

UPS opened at $115.25 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $98.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $120.13 and its 200-day moving average is $127.02. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.40 and a 52-week high of $158.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted 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 quarter last year, the company earned $2.47 EPS. Analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th were paid a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 18th. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.69%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UPS has been the topic of several analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Robert W. Baird cut shares of United Parcel Service from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $119.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $128.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $156.00 to $153.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $138.09.

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.