Federated Hermes Inc. Acquires 33,292 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)

Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,624,016 shares of the transportation company’s stock after purchasing an additional 33,292 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. owned 0.19% of United Parcel Service worth $204,788,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. IMG Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFS Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 232.3% in the fourth quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Runnymede Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. 60.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on UPS. Bank of America decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $133.00 to $129.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $119.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $128.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $166.00 to $147.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered shares of United Parcel Service from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $160.00 to $130.00 in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $133.18.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of UPS opened at $97.62 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $83.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.44, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.94. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $96.57 and a twelve month high of $153.42. 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 firm’s 50 day moving average price is $115.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $125.60.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 period in the previous year, the company posted $2.47 EPS. On average, analysts forecast 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. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 18th were issued a dividend of $1.64 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 18th. This is an increase from United Parcel Service’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.72%. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 97.04%.

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.