Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Sells 66,149 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) by 3.6% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,780,697 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 66,149 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc.’s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $175,185,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in United Parcel Service by 63.8% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 12,126 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,529,000 after purchasing an additional 4,723 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 2nd quarter valued at about $277,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $848,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its position in United Parcel Service by 2.7% in the second quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 342,866 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $34,609,000 after acquiring an additional 9,124 shares during the period. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 154.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 104,819 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $10,580,000 after purchasing an additional 63,629 shares in the last quarter. 60.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock opened at $110.62 on Friday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $105.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market cap of $94.03 billion, a PE ratio of 17.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.05. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52-week low of $82.00 and a 52-week high of $122.41.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The transportation company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 5.94% and a return on equity of 35.95%. The business had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.49 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 18th were issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 18th. United Parcel Service’s dividend payout ratio is presently 106.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on UPS shares. Citigroup raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $127.00 to $132.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Stephens upgraded shares of United Parcel Service to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. UBS Group cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $125.00 to $123.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut United Parcel Service from a “hold (c)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $111.10.

Trending Headlines about United Parcel Service

Here are the key news stories impacting United Parcel Service this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup raised its price target on UPS to $132 from $127 and kept a buy rating, implying meaningful upside from current levels. The bullish call supports sentiment around the stock. Benzinga report on Citigroup price-target increase
• Positive Sentiment: Stephens upgraded UPS to strong-buy, adding to the recent wave of favorable analyst commentary. Zacks report on Stephens upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: UPS drew unusual options activity, with traders buying 34,148 call options, about 33% above normal volume. Heavy call buying can signal bullish speculation.
• Positive Sentiment: UPS’s addition to key Russell defensive indexes could increase demand from index-linked funds and reinforce the stock’s defensive appeal. Yahoo Finance article on Russell defensive index addition
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles highlighted that UPS remains heavily watched ahead of earnings, with some commentary arguing the company has a decent chance to beat estimates again based on its recent surprise history. Zacks earnings preview
• Negative Sentiment: Bearish commentary warned that UPS may face muted revenue growth, margin pressure, and possible dividend risk if free cash flow remains weak, which could cap further upside. Seeking Alpha bearish analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Another analysis said recent progress could be short-lived and pointed to intensified competition from Amazon’s logistics expansion as a threat to UPS’s growth and margins. Seeking Alpha consolidation analysis

About United Parcel Service

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that provides a broad range of transportation, logistics and e-commerce services. Its core business centers on small-package delivery and last-mile distribution for business and individual customers, supported by a network of ground transportation, air cargo operations (UPS Airlines) and sorting facilities. In addition to parcel delivery, UPS offers freight transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, customs brokerage and reverse-logistics solutions designed to support domestic and international commerce.

The company traces its roots to 1907 when it began as a small messenger service in the United States and later evolved into the United Parcel Service.