Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Stock Holdings Increased by Motley Fool Asset Management LLC

Motley Fool Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 14.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 31,650 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,908 shares during the quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $7,217,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. World Investment Advisors lifted its position in Union Pacific by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 37,577 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $8,569,000 after buying an additional 1,996 shares in the last quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,936 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $661,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 18.8% in the fourth quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 8,487 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,103,000 after acquiring an additional 1,345 shares during the last quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 48.1% during the fourth quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 1,824 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 592 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kesler Norman & Wride LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 6.7% during the fourth quarter. Kesler Norman & Wride LLC now owns 26,201 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $5,975,000 after purchasing an additional 1,640 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. Benchmark upped 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. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Raymond James reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $295.00 target price for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $261.95.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.5 %

UNP opened at $238.34 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $243.22 and a 200-day moving average of $239.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $142.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors 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 yield of 2.25%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.33%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,000. The trade was a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company’s stock.

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.