Sapient Capital LLC Buys Shares of 117,958 Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Sapient Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 117,958 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $28,973,000. Union Pacific comprises approximately 0.9% of Sapient Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of UNP. MAS Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth $233,000. Roundview Capital LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 16,608 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $4,537,000 after acquiring an additional 614 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth about $569,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 47,144 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $12,880,000 after buying an additional 1,664 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 10.1% during the 1st quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,745 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $477,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,750 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $937,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 56,682 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,170,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Benchmark lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Raymond James lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $240.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Monday. They set a "hold" rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $252.78.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $236.14. 1,692,332 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,318,011. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.81. Union Pacific Co. has a 52 week low of $190.37 and a 52 week high of $258.66. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $247.58 and a 200-day moving average of $232.56. The stock has a market cap of $144.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.53, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.45% and a return on equity of 46.87%. The company's quarterly revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.67 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 10.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.20%. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 49.71%.

Union Pacific 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.