Essex Financial Services Inc. Raises Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 26.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,395 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,378 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $3,739,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Cambiar Investors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 32.7% during the 4th quarter. Cambiar Investors LLC now owns 257,975 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $58,829,000 after acquiring an additional 63,531 shares during the last quarter. Violich Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Union Pacific by 547.3% during the fourth quarter. Violich Capital Management Inc. now owns 39,175 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $8,933,000 after purchasing an additional 33,123 shares during the period. Pineridge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 307.4% in the fourth quarter. Pineridge Advisors LLC now owns 1,096 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 827 shares during the last quarter. Panoramic Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $280,000. Finally, Arlington Trust Co LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 129.2% during the 4th quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $244.35 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $235.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $240.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. Union Pacific Co. has a 12-month low of $218.55 and a 12-month high of $258.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $148.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data 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. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 12.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the 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 directly owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the business’s 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares in the company, valued at $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.28% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. 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. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Raymond James reissued a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $285.00 price objective (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $263.00 to $252.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $261.40.

Union Pacific 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.