Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) have been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-four ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, thirteen have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $260.1364.

UNP has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, January 19th. TD Cowen cut their price target on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 price objective (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $295.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, February 19th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Rosenblum Silverman Sutton S F Inc. CA raised its position in Union Pacific by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Rosenblum Silverman Sutton S F Inc. CA now owns 1,221 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $282,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Macroview Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC now owns 1,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Claro Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Claro Advisors Inc. now owns 1,220 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $282,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Howard Capital Management Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.0% during the third quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,252 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $532,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $265.25 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $241.47 and a 200 day moving average of $231.17. The stock has a market cap of $157.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.16, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Union Pacific has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $267.88.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The company had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.91 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.12%.

Union Pacific Company Profile

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.