Lathrop Investment Management Corp Reduces Holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Lathrop Investment Management Corp trimmed its position in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 5.3% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 63,939 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 3,586 shares during the period. United Parcel Service accounts for approximately 2.1% of Lathrop Investment Management Corp’s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Lathrop Investment Management Corp’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $10,053,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 417,646 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $65,670,000 after purchasing an additional 16,198 shares in the last quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 17.9% during the fourth quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,300 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $519,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 171.5% during the fourth quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,151 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $181,000 after buying an additional 727 shares during the last quarter. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter worth $684,000. Finally, Cornerstone Capital Inc. boosted its stake in United Parcel Service by 24.6% during the fourth quarter. Cornerstone Capital Inc. now owns 4,152 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $653,000 after buying an additional 820 shares during the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSE UPS traded up $0.20 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $147.59. 2,607,558 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,897,331. The company has a 50 day moving average of $149.56 and a two-hundred day moving average of $150.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $133.68 and a 52-week high of $192.98. The firm has a market cap of $125.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.38, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.05.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.33 by $0.10. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 37.42% and a net margin of 6.60%. The company had revenue of $21.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.84 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.20 EPS. United Parcel Service’s revenue was down 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.22 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th were issued a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.42%. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 94.49%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UPS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America boosted their price objective on United Parcel Service from $157.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Argus lowered United Parcel Service from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. TheStreet raised United Parcel Service from a “c” rating to a “b-” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. TD Cowen decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $165.23.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Eva C. Boratto purchased 1,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $142.30 per share, for a total transaction of $199,220.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $199,220. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

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.