Chicago Capital LLC Boosts Stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Chicago Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 13.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,093 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 1,308 shares during the quarter. Chicago Capital LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $2,621,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UNP. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 12.6% in the 4th 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 lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 14.3% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,395,364 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $2,370,559,000 after purchasing an additional 1,298,178 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $1,927,377,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,686,387 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,752,804,000 after buying an additional 363,937 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 15.2% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,962,650 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,587,763,000 after buying an additional 920,414 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $260.00 to $244.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Raymond James reissued a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Argus raised shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Stephens dropped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $255.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. 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 given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $257.74.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $224.59 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $258.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $134.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.05. The company's fifty day moving average price is $221.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $231.31.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 firm had revenue of $6.03 billion for 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%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.69 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be issued a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.39%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 48.29%.

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.

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