Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC Acquires Shares of 6,348 Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 6,348 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,448,000. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 1.3% of Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. EnRich Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. PrairieView Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL boosted its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE:UNP traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $231.35. 2,006,785 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,644,216. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $224.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $233.68. Union Pacific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $258.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The company has a market capitalization of $138.22 billion, a PE ratio of 20.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.73 by ($0.03). Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.11 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.69 earnings per share. Union Pacific's revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Guggenheim increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $295.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $260.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Stephens decreased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $255.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $257.50.

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.