Gotham Asset Management LLC Raises Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 98.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 55,077 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 27,263 shares during the period. Gotham Asset Management LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $12,560,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. 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 acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. EnRich Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. PrairieView Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 38.8% in the 4th quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 161 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of Union Pacific stock traded up $0.50 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $231.35. 2,006,785 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,644,216. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $258.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $138.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a fifty day moving average of $224.16 and a 200-day moving average of $233.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76.

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

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America upped their price target on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $262.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $259.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Citigroup upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $260.00 to $244.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price 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.