Zacks Investment Management Reduces Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Zacks Investment Management lowered its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 11.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,959 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 376 shares during the period. Zacks Investment Management’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $675,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Wasatch Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 5.6% in the fourth quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 18,922 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,315,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Master S Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $333,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 9,816 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,238,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 23.9% in the 4th quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,391 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $545,000 after buying an additional 461 shares during the period. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 36.3% in the fourth quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 105,629 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $24,088,000 after buying an additional 28,122 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $220.26 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $132.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $235.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $236.42. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $204.66 and a 1 year high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.71 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UNP. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They set a “buy” rating and a $295.00 price target for the company. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $260.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $257.50.

Insider Activity

In related news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $1,875,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $1,636,740.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.19% of the company’s stock.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.