Analysts Set Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Target Price at $319.16

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $320.8947.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNP. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Bank of America boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Union Pacific

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $291.83 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $277.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $260.55. The stock has a market cap of $173.37 billion, a PE ratio of 23.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 12.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Union Pacific Company 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.