Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-one research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $280.4737.

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and set a $285.00 target price (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total transaction of $469,625.07. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $270.58 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $160.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.29, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.99. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $252.29 and its 200 day moving average is $242.23. Union Pacific has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $274.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.73.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.70 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific’s core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two?thirds of the United States.