Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Position Boosted by Public Sector Pension Investment Board

Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 8.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 842,206 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 63,523 shares during the period. Union Pacific comprises 0.7% of Public Sector Pension Investment Board’s portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Public Sector Pension Investment Board owned about 0.14% of Union Pacific worth $199,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $261.51 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $235.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $228.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.91. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $265.37. The firm has a market cap of $155.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.85, a P/E/G ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.98.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The company had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.91 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 price target (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. TD Cowen lowered their price target 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. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up previously from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $258.32.

Union Pacific Profile

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.