North Star Asset Management Inc. Sells 1,955 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

North Star Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 5.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 32,738 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 1,955 shares during the quarter. North Star Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $7,738,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, January 19th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $295.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $260.14.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $266.59 on Wednesday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $240.29 and its 200-day moving average price is $230.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a market cap of $158.19 billion, a PE ratio of 22.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.98. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $204.66 and a twelve month high of $267.81.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The company had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.91 EPS. The company’s revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 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.