Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Shares Purchased by Motley Fool Asset Management LLC

Motley Fool Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 5.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,060 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 918 shares during the period. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $4,436,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $44,000. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 48.6% in the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 309 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $83,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 5.0 %

Shares of UNP stock traded up $11.54 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $243.52. 3,897,475 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,334,341. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $190.37 and a 1 year high of $258.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The firm has a market cap of $148.57 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28, a PEG ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.07. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $244.34 and a 200 day moving average of $234.68.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.45% and a return on equity of 46.87%. The business had revenue of $6.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.67 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 49.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Benchmark increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 28th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $231.00 to $248.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $280.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $255.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,750 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $937,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 56,682 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,170,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Profile

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.