Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by American Century Companies Inc.

American Century Companies Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 13.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,006,823 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 160,326 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $237,983,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $32,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $264.62 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $242.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $231.57. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $267.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The company has a market capitalization of $157.02 billion, a PE ratio of 22.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.98.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.91 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given 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 payout ratio is currently 46.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 target price (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $267.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $270.00 price target (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $260.14.

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.