Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. Boosts Position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 1.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 448,905 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,452 shares during the quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned about 0.05% of United Parcel Service worth $56,607,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UPS. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in United Parcel Service by 397.7% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 214 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the period. Finally, Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.26% of the company’s stock.

United Parcel Service Stock Down 1.2 %

United Parcel Service stock opened at $109.66 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $93.66 billion, a PE ratio of 16.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. 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 fifty day moving average of $118.52 and a 200 day moving average of $126.44. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a one year low of $109.40 and a one year high of $154.29.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.75 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 last year, the company posted $2.47 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side 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 declared 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. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.98%. The ex-dividend date was 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 (DPR) is currently 97.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James decreased their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets upgraded United Parcel Service from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and cut their price target for the stock from $155.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on United Parcel Service from $140.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $137.57.

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.