Fire Capital Management LLC Acquires New Shares in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Fire Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,973 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,134,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $328,000. Chancellor Financial Group WB LP bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $309,000. Northstar Financial Companies Inc. bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $445,000. Old North State Trust LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 3,325 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $758,000 after acquiring an additional 129 shares during the period. Finally, Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $73,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. 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. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $259.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Union Pacific from $265.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Loop Capital cut Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $265.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna 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 Friday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $257.50.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP traded down $1.07 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $221.44. 4,179,597 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,642,700. The company has a market cap of $132.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07. Union Pacific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $258.07. 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 firm's fifty day moving average is $221.74 and its 200 day moving average is $232.68.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.73 by ($0.03). The company 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 business's revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.69 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a 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%.

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.