Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Stake Raised by Violich Capital Management Inc.

Violich Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 547.3% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 39,175 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 33,123 shares during the period. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 1.2% of Violich Capital Management Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Violich Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $8,933,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter worth $30,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 265.7% during the third quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 128 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on UNP. Benchmark upped their target price on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Susquehanna cut their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $263.00 to $252.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $261.40.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.9 %

UNP opened at $244.35 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.66. The business has a 50 day moving average of $235.14 and a 200-day moving average of $240.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $148.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.71 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 12.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.19%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.33%.

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.