Westwood Holdings Group Inc. Has $139.89 Million Stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Key Points

• Westwood Holdings Group Inc. reduced its stake in Union Pacific Corporation by 1.4% in Q1, now holding approximately 592,152 shares valued at about $139.89 million.
• Several institutional investors have increased their positions in Union Pacific, with Wealthspire Advisors LLC growing its stake by 101.6% during the same period.
• Union Pacific has increased its quarterly dividend to $1.38 per share, representing an annual yield of 2.5%, with the payout ratio currently at 47.96%.

Westwood Holdings Group Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 592,152 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 8,366 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific comprises about 1.1% of Westwood Holdings Group Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. owned 0.10% of Union Pacific worth $139,890,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Allred Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Allred Capital Management LLC now owns 8,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,904,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL boosted its position in Union Pacific by 38.8% during the 4th quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 161 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 2,922 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $666,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. First Financial Bank Trust Division boosted its position in Union Pacific by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. First Financial Bank Trust Division now owns 2,803 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $662,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. Finally, Stiles Financial Services Inc boosted its position in Union Pacific by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 2,963 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $700,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP traded down $2.95 during trading on Thursday, hitting $222.51. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,113,711 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,311,982. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $258.07. The firm has a market cap of $131.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $227.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $230.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The railroad operator reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.84 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.73% and a net margin of 28.43%. The company had revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.74 EPS. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. Union Pacific's payout ratio is presently 46.57%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on UNP. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $259.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Susquehanna reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $257.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. They set a "neutral" rating and a $231.00 price target for the company. Barclays lowered Union Pacific from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Union Pacific from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $270.00 to $250.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $258.21.

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.