Stonegate Investment Group LLC Buys 2,133 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Stonegate Investment Group LLC boosted its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 438,226 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,133 shares during the quarter. United Parcel Service makes up 1.5% of Stonegate Investment Group LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Stonegate Investment Group LLC’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $55,260,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UPS. Curbstone Financial Management Corp purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth $1,220,000. Griffin Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 6.3% during the 4th quarter. Griffin Asset Management Inc. now owns 49,412 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $6,231,000 after buying an additional 2,908 shares during the last quarter. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter valued at about $237,000. Level Financial Advisors bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,561,000. Finally, Eaton Cambridge Inc. raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Eaton Cambridge Inc. now owns 3,238 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $408,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on UPS shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $162.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Susquehanna increased their price target on United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Evercore ISI raised 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 research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $163.00 to $158.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $151.24.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Norman M. Brothers, Jr. sold 7,325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.57, for a total value of $1,015,025.25. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,249,229.86. This represents a 13.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

UPS opened at $136.23 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $128.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.76. The company has a market cap of $116.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $121.56 and a 52-week high of $158.95.

United Parcel Service Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 18th were issued a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 18th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.79%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is currently 98.49%.

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.