Carlson Capital L.P. Purchases New Stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Carlson Capital L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 6,400 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $807,000. United Parcel Service accounts for about 0.5% of Carlson Capital L.P.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 5,455 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $688,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares during the period. Sabal Trust CO increased its position in United Parcel Service by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Sabal Trust CO now owns 171,027 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $21,567,000 after purchasing an additional 5,005 shares during the period. National Pension Service increased its position in United Parcel Service by 20.1% during the 4th quarter. National Pension Service now owns 1,556,868 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $196,321,000 after purchasing an additional 260,177 shares during the period. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC increased its position in United Parcel Service by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC now owns 4,255 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $537,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the period. Finally, Daner Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter worth about $1,306,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Price Performance

UPS opened at $116.83 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.98. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $122.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $128.19. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $109.40 and a 52-week high of $158.95.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 in the previous year, the company posted $2.47 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 18th will be paid a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.61%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 18th. This is a boost from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is 97.04%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on UPS shares. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $158.00 to $149.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $135.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Stifel Nicolaus reduced 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. Finally, Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $140.73.

About United Parcel Service

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.