Raymond James Reiterates Strong-Buy Rating for Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP)

Raymond James reiterated their strong-buy rating on shares of Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $280.00 price target on the railroad operator's stock, up from their prior price target of $275.00.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Benchmark increased their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Monday, April 8th. They issued a hold rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group raised their target price on Union Pacific from $235.00 to $248.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, March 18th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $258.78.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of UNP traded down $0.71 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $242.84. 2,255,450 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,333,368. The company has a market capitalization of $148.16 billion, a PE ratio of 23.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The business has a 50 day moving average of $244.27 and a 200 day moving average of $234.95. Union Pacific has a 1-year low of $190.45 and a 1-year high of $258.66.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.45% and a return on equity of 46.87%. The business had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.67 EPS. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific will post 11.01 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.14%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.71%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,750 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $937,500.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 56,682 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,170,500. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,832,127,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,261,449 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,478,649,000 after purchasing an additional 19,145 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 23.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 6,851,767 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,682,931,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285,144 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,803,796 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,385,457,000 after purchasing an additional 285,988 shares during the period. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,867,842 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,441,260,000 after buying an additional 125,522 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

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.