Columbia River Financial Group LLC Takes $1.47 Million Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Columbia River Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 6,442 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,469,000. Union Pacific accounts for 1.0% of Columbia River Financial Group LLC's holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 12.6% during 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 position in shares of Union Pacific by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,395,364 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,370,559,000 after acquiring an additional 1,298,178 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at about $1,927,377,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings 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 valued at $1,752,804,000 after purchasing an additional 363,937 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 15.2% during 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 purchasing an additional 920,414 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP traded down $0.46 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $221.72. 1,230,500 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,644,790. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $204.66 and a 1 year high of $258.07. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $222.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $232.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $132.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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). The firm had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.11 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. The company's revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.69 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. UBS Group dropped their price target on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Citigroup raised Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $260.00 to $244.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, March 7th. They set a "buy" rating and a $295.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target 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.