Apella Capital LLC Grows Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Apella Capital LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 714.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,591 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 8,413 shares during the quarter. Apella Capital LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $2,144,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. EnRich Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. PrairieView Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 38.8% in the fourth quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 161 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. Bank of America boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $262.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $295.00 target price for the company. Argus raised shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $257.74.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of UNP traded down $0.39 on Thursday, reaching $220.48. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,889,531 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,674,295. 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 firm has a fifty day moving average of $220.85 and a 200-day moving average of $232.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $131.73 billion, a PE ratio of 19.88, a PEG 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 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 firm had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.69 EPS. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.43%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.29%.

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.