Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Position Increased by Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 171.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,520 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 7,914 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $2,959,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $1,856,340,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,398,715 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,472,217,000 after purchasing an additional 46,436 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.6% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 4,782,577 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,134,236,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255,231 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 32.8% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,152,042 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $725,222,000 after purchasing an additional 778,411 shares during the period. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 22,618.2% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $603,876,000 after buying an additional 2,613,083 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $266.59 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.27, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.98. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $204.66 and a 1-year high of $267.81. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $240.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $230.69.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.92 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. Union Pacific’s revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.91 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend 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 is currently 46.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Susquehanna reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 price target (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and issued a $270.00 target price (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $260.14.

About Union Pacific

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.