OFI Invest Asset Management Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm acquired 108,948 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $23,993,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 111.5% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, PrairieView Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the subject of several research reports. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Benchmark increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $295.00 price target for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $263.00.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $249.84 on Friday. Union Pacific Co. has a twelve month low of $218.55 and a twelve month high of $258.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.98 billion, a PE ratio of 22.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.05. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $241.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $240.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.71 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

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 that occurred on 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 sale, the president now owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $1,636,740.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,632,388. The trade was a 19.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is owned by company 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.