Ashton Thomas Securities LLC Lowers Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Ashton Thomas Securities LLC has reduced its stake in Union Pacific Corporation by 35.3%, owning 8,328 shares worth approximately $1.91 million after selling 4,550 shares in the second quarter.
• Union Pacific's recent dividend was increased from $1.34 to $1.38 per share, representing a 2.4% yield with a payout ratio of 47.96%.
• Analysts have mixed opinions on the stock, with upgrades from firms like Loop Capital and Citigroup, while Barclays downgraded it; it currently holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus price target of $260.00.

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC lessened its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 35.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 8,328 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 4,550 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,910,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pines Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Pines Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,520 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $595,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Titleist Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.1% in the first quarter. Titleist Asset Management LLC now owns 4,004 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $946,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Five Oceans Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.9% in the second quarter. Five Oceans Advisors now owns 1,183 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $272,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Stiles Financial Services Inc boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.6% in the first quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 2,963 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $700,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Finally, Avalon Trust Co grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 5.1% during the first quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 1,004 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Loop Capital raised Union Pacific from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $214.00 to $227.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $277.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Citigroup raised shares of Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $250.00 to $251.00 in a report on Monday, September 15th. Barclays cut Union Pacific from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Baird R W upgraded Union Pacific to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $260.00.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $234.65 on Friday. The stock's fifty day moving average is $223.43 and its 200 day moving average is $224.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.16 billion, a PE ratio of 20.39, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.65. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $256.84.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The railroad operator reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.84 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.43% and a return on equity of 41.73%. The company had revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.74 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th were given a $1.38 dividend. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 47.96%.

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.

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