Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-four brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $258.3182.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $267.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Stephens Consulting LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC now owns 1,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,252 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $532,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,186 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $753,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,988 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,154,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $252.92 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Union Pacific has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $253.29. The company has a market cap of $150.02 billion, a PE ratio of 21.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.98. The business has a 50 day moving average of $233.86 and a 200 day moving average of $227.44.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.92 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.91 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.12%.

Union Pacific Company Profile

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.