Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Stock Position Decreased by Avantax Advisory Services Inc.

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. cut its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 4.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 34,556 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 1,511 shares during the quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $7,880,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Essential Planning LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $4,321,000. Liberty Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Liberty Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,697 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $387,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. Truvestments Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 2,633 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $600,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 51.0% in the fourth quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 37,336 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $8,514,000 after buying an additional 12,613 shares during the period. Finally, PFG Advisors boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 17,491 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,989,000 after buying an additional 372 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on UNP. Guggenheim raised their target price on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $295.00 target price for the company. Citigroup raised their target price on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Benchmark increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $263.00.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $234.36 on Friday. Union Pacific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $218.55 and a fifty-two week high of $258.07. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $241.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $240.85. 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 firm has a market cap of $141.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.05.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 quarter last year, the company earned $2.71 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Union Pacific Company 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.