JPMorgan Chase & Co. Cuts Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Price Target to $322.00

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its target price lowered by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $334.00 to $322.00 in a research note published on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the railroad operator’s stock.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup raised their price target on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $325.72.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $274.72 on Monday. Union Pacific has a 1 year low of $215.53 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $289.12 and its 200-day moving average is $274.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $163.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.24, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific will post 13.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st were given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 45.99%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is a freight railroad company that operates one of the largest rail networks in North America. Through its principal subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, the company provides transportation services for businesses across the western two-thirds of the United States.

Union Pacific transports a broad range of commodities and manufactured goods, including agricultural products, automotive vehicles and parts, chemicals, coal, industrial products, forest products, and intermodal containers.