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

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-one brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $320.8947.

UNP has been the subject of a number of research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Union Pacific

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $310.11 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.23 billion, a PE ratio of 25.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $287.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $268.73. Union Pacific has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

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.