Bristol John W & Co. Inc. NY Grows Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Bristol John W & Co. Inc. NY increased its stake in Union Pacific by 4,854% in Q3, adding 288,668 shares to hold 294,615 shares valued at about $69.64 million.
• Wall Street's consensus rates UNP as a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $263.77 (analyst mix: 1 Strong Buy, 14 Buy, 9 Hold).
• Union Pacific slightly missed quarterly estimates (EPS $2.86 vs. $2.92; revenue $6.09B vs. $6.15B) and announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38 ($5.52 annualized, 2.3% yield; ex-dividend Feb 27, payable Mar 31).

Bristol John W & Co. Inc. NY grew its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 4,854.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 294,615 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 288,668 shares during the quarter. Bristol John W & Co. Inc. NY's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $69,638,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA increased its stake in Union Pacific by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA now owns 52,849 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $12,492,000 after purchasing an additional 4,707 shares in the last quarter. Midwest Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.8% during the third quarter. Midwest Trust Co now owns 281,036 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $66,428,000 after buying an additional 7,759 shares during the period. CX Institutional grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 39.8% during the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 65,826 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $15,559,000 after buying an additional 18,742 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 135,188 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $31,955,000 after acquiring an additional 17,696 shares during the period. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at $802,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price target on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $270.00 price objective (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna restated a "buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a "market perform" rating and issued a $295.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $267.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $263.77.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $243.96 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $144.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.38, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $246.26 and a 200 day moving average of $233.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $204.66 and a twelve month high of $268.14.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.92 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.91 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is presently 46.12%.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation NYSE: UNP is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific's core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.

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