Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Raises Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 33.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,852 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,232 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $2,091,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Union Pacific by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 36,819 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $8,703,000 after buying an additional 9,207 shares in the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 9,378 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,217,000 after buying an additional 347 shares in the last quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan increased its position in Union Pacific by 220.0% during the third quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan now owns 31,685 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $7,483,000 after purchasing an additional 21,784 shares during the last quarter. Twin Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 60.9% in the 3rd quarter. Twin Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,245 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,713,000 after purchasing an additional 2,742 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Concord Asset Management LLC VA lifted its position in Union Pacific by 10.4% in the third quarter. Concord Asset Management LLC VA now owns 14,080 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,328,000 after buying an additional 1,331 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on UNP. Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $258.32.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6%

UNP stock opened at $252.92 on Monday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $233.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $227.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $150.02 billion, a PE ratio of 21.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $253.29.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The company had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.91 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.12%.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific’s core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.