Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV Decreases Stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV trimmed its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 1.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 98,189 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 1,529 shares during the quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $22,577,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,927,377,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,035,905,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Union Pacific by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,430,581 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $3,282,305,000 after purchasing an additional 1,616,895 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in Union Pacific by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,395,364 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,370,559,000 after purchasing an additional 1,298,178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $273,361,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock traded up $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $231.35. The company had a trading volume of 2,006,785 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,644,216. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $224.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $233.68. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $258.07. The stock has a market cap of $138.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.86, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62.

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

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm 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 $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.32%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have issued reports on UNP. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, March 7th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $295.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim raised their target price on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Stephens cut their target price on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $255.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Raymond James reissued a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $257.50.

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.