Austin Private Wealth LLC Raises Stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Austin Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 41.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,834 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 541 shares during the period. Austin Private Wealth LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $418,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Caprock Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 14,148 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,226,000 after acquiring an additional 1,242 shares in the last quarter. Country Trust Bank raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 257.9% in the 4th quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 859 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $196,000 after acquiring an additional 619 shares in the last quarter. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management now owns 2,033 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $464,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC now owns 68,298 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $15,575,000 after acquiring an additional 980 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boomfish Wealth Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 10.7% in the 4th quarter. Boomfish Wealth Group LLC now owns 6,881 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,569,000 after acquiring an additional 663 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $247.85 on Friday. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $218.55 and a 1 year high of $258.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The company’s 50-day moving average is $235.31 and its 200 day moving average is $240.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 previous year, the company earned $2.71 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 12.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th were issued a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 9th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.33%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $1,636,740.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,000. This represents 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.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have weighed in on UNP. Benchmark raised their price target on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Union Pacific from $288.00 to $283.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $263.30.

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.