Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Decreases Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA trimmed its stake in Union Pacific by 5.0% in Q4 to 7,605,933 shares (about 1.28% ownership), valued at roughly $1.759 billion.
• Insider sale: EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares on March 20 at an average price of $234.93 for about $469,625, and company insiders now own 0.28% of UNP.
• Company results and payout: UNP slightly missed Q4 EPS estimates ($2.86 vs. $2.92) with revenue of $6.09B, pays a $1.38 quarterly dividend (annualized $5.52, ~2.2% yield), and carries a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating with an average target of $265.86.

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lowered its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 5.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,605,933 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 400,521 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 1.28% of Union Pacific worth $1,759,404,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter worth $27,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter worth $27,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $31,000. Stephens Consulting LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Financial Strategies CORP purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total value of $469,625.07. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a "market perform" rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $265.86.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $250.81 on Friday. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $251.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $236.85. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $206.63 and a 52-week high of $268.14. The firm has a market cap of $148.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64.

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

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th were given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.12%.

About Union Pacific

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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