Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund Sells 1,727 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund decreased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 9.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,310 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 1,727 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $3,719,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $201,000. Key Financial Inc increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,847 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $421,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 10.8% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,050 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,380,000 after purchasing an additional 589 shares in the last quarter. Pinnbrook Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,954,000. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its position in Union Pacific by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 149,598 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $34,115,000 after purchasing an additional 2,048 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.7 %

Union Pacific stock opened at $249.27 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $236.34 and a 200 day moving average of $240.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $151.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 12-month low of $218.55 and a 12-month high of $258.66. 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 for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 12.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.15%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on UNP shares. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $288.00 to $283.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One investment 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $261.40.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $1,875,000.00. Following the sale, 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 transaction, 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 position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.