Point72 Europe London LLP Invests $479,000 in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Point72 Europe London LLP bought a new stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,100 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $479,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $1,927,377,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,035,905,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 12.6% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,430,581 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $3,282,305,000 after buying an additional 1,616,895 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in Union Pacific by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,395,364 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,370,559,000 after acquiring an additional 1,298,178 shares during the period. Finally, Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $273,361,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on UNP shares. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $295.00 target price for the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $257.50.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Union Pacific stock traded down $2.09 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $229.33. The stock had a trading volume of 2,509,396 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,643,678. The firm's 50 day moving average is $224.16 and its 200 day moving average is $233.69. Union Pacific Co. has a one year low of $204.66 and a one year high of $258.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.73 by ($0.03). Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. The business had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.11 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.69 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.34%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.29%.

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.