Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Earns Strong-Buy Rating from Raymond James

Raymond James reaffirmed their strong-buy rating on shares of Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) in a research note published on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $285.00 target price on the railroad operator’s stock, up from their previous target price of $265.00.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on UNP. Susquehanna cut their price objective on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Benchmark raised their price target on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup increased their target price on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Union Pacific from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $262.57.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of UNP opened at $248.94 on Friday. Union Pacific 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 1.79. The company has a market capitalization of $150.92 billion, a PE ratio of 22.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.06. The business’s 50 day moving average is $233.78 and its 200 day moving average is $239.22.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 41.79%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.71 EPS. Research analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 10.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 9th were paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 9th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 49.22%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 265.7% in the 3rd quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 128 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

About Union Pacific

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.