Union Pacific Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:UNP)

Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Stock investors acquired 8,258 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 69% compared to the average volume of 4,898 put options.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock traded down $8.67 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $234.96. 2,960,836 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,232,926. The stock has a market cap of $143.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.06. The firm's 50 day moving average is $241.01 and its 200 day moving average is $239.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.93. Union Pacific has a 52-week low of $190.71 and a 52-week high of $258.66.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.52% and a return on equity of 44.34%. The firm had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.67 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 11.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 31st will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 31st. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.21%. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 49.62%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UNP shares. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, April 8th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $250.00 price target for the company. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $252.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Benchmark raised their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th. StockNews.com raised Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $248.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 11th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $259.61.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Richardson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 211.4% during the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 109 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

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.