Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. Increases Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 56.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,941 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 2,513 shares during the quarter. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,640,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $20,683,000. Principal Securities Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 6.2% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 14,936 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $3,406,000 after acquiring an additional 869 shares in the last quarter. Monument Capital Management lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 23.6% in the fourth quarter. Monument Capital Management now owns 1,120 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $255,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the period. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 505.0% in the fourth quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 726 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $166,000 after acquiring an additional 606 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NTV Asset Management LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC now owns 1,635 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $373,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on UNP shares. Susquehanna cut their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Union Pacific from $265.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Stephens reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $255.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $259.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $257.74.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6%

UNP stock traded up $1.26 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $221.85. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,414,505 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,685,057. The firm's 50-day moving average is $221.18 and its 200-day moving average is $231.04. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.91. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $258.07. The company has a market cap of $132.55 billion, a PE ratio of 19.99, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.05.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($0.03). Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.76% and a return on equity of 40.80%. The business had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.69 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

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 issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is presently 48.29%.

About Union Pacific

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.