Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY Has $5.49 Million Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY boosted its holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 2.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,085 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 628 shares during the quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $5,492,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 8.8% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 46,715 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $10,653,000 after buying an additional 3,771 shares during the period. Howland Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Howland Capital Management LLC now owns 116,426 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $26,550,000 after acquiring an additional 3,382 shares in the last quarter. Richard C. Young & CO. LTD. lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Richard C. Young & CO. LTD. now owns 46,111 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $10,515,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 150.7% during the 4th quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 14,718 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,353,000 after purchasing an additional 8,848 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 20.7% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 43,410 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $9,899,000 after purchasing an additional 7,432 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

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

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of UNP stock opened at $242.12 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $235.14 and a 200-day moving average of $240.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The stock has a market cap of $146.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.66.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 12.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.21%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Guggenheim upped their target price on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Union Pacific from $263.00 to $252.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $261.40.

About Union Pacific

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.