Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by Barclays PLC

Key Points

• Barclays PLC cut its stake in Union Pacific by 12.4% in Q3, selling 150,447 shares and now holds 1,060,599 shares valued at about $250.7 million (≈0.18% of the company).
• Union Pacific's latest quarter missed EPS estimates ($2.86 vs. $2.92) and reported slightly lower revenue ($6.09B vs. $6.15B), though profitability remains strong with a 40.89% ROE and a 29.12% net margin.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share (ex-dividend Feb 27, payable Mar 31), equal to a $5.52 annualized payout and a 2.2% yield.

Barclays PLC lowered its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 12.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,060,599 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 150,447 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned approximately 0.18% of Union Pacific worth $250,694,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $253.98 on Friday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $244.90 and its 200 day moving average price is $232.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.71 billion, a PE ratio of 21.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.95. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $268.14.

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

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is 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 currently 46.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a "market perform" rating and set a $295.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price target on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $285.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $263.77.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.