Perennial Advisors LLC Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Perennial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 34,794 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $7,934,000. Union Pacific accounts for about 1.7% of Perennial Advisors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at about $1,927,377,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $1,035,905,000. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake 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 acquiring an additional 1,616,895 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 14.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 35.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 4,968,658 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,133,053,000 after acquiring an additional 1,294,643 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE UNP traded up $0.11 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $222.29. 2,971,790 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,651,345. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $222.28 and a 200-day moving average of $232.99. Union Pacific Co. has a one year low of $204.66 and a one year high of $258.07. The stock has a market cap of $132.81 billion, a PE ratio of 20.04, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.11 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.69 EPS. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup raised Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $260.00 to $244.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Raymond James reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $257.50.

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.