Ames National Corp Purchases Shares of 5,817 Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Ames National Corp acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 5,817 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,327,000. Union Pacific comprises about 0.8% of Ames National Corp's holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest holding.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Allred Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. Allred Capital Management LLC now owns 8,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,904,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Palogic Value Management L.P. increased its stake in Union Pacific by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Palogic Value Management L.P. now owns 2,823 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $644,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the period. Pflug Koory LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Pflug Koory LLC now owns 8,569 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,954,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Baron Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Baron Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,409 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $321,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mystic Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,309 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $527,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP opened at $228.35 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The business's 50 day moving average is $223.88 and its 200-day moving average is $233.63. The stock has a market cap of $136.43 billion, a PE ratio of 20.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07. Union Pacific Co. has a twelve month low of $204.66 and a twelve month high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 earnings per share 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 in the previous year, the firm earned $2.69 EPS. The firm's revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.35%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays cut their price target on Union Pacific from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Loop Capital lowered shares of Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $265.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Guggenheim upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $257.50.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.