Fisher Asset Management LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 0.3% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 6,305,684 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 20,099 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,437,948,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Howard Capital Management Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 16.4% in the third quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,860 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $705,000 after buying an additional 403 shares during the period. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 25.2% in the third quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,050 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $473,000 after buying an additional 413 shares during the period. Mutual Advisors LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 9,494 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,191,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the period. SteelPeak Wealth LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 18.7% during the 3rd quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 2,379 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $586,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the period. Finally, JFS Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,391 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $343,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $246.94 on Friday. Union Pacific Co. has a one year low of $218.55 and a one year high of $258.07. The company’s 50-day moving average is $239.46 and its 200 day moving average is $240.93. The company has a market capitalization of $149.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.77.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 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 prior year, the business posted $2.71 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.17%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $261.40.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company’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 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 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 transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.