Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC Buys New Position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 21,701 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $5,127,000. Union Pacific comprises about 1.4% of Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $1,927,377,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 27,502.8% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,491,151 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $588,510,000 after purchasing an additional 2,482,126 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake 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 worth $3,282,305,000 after purchasing an additional 1,616,895 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake 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 worth $2,370,559,000 after purchasing an additional 1,298,178 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.2% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 4,968,658 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,133,053,000 after purchasing an additional 1,294,643 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on UNP shares. Citigroup lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $244.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group lowered their target price 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. Susquehanna upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "positive" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $245.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. Barclays lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $262.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $256.63.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock traded up $0.51 on Thursday, reaching $237.00. The stock had a trading volume of 2,630,094 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,733,115. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $204.66 and a 1 year high of $258.07. The company has a market cap of $141.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.91. The business's 50 day moving average is $225.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $231.10.

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 return on equity of 40.80% and a net margin of 27.76%. The firm had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.69 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th were issued a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 30th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is 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.