Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Has $17.73 Million Stock Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 21.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 77,383 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 13,818 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $17,729,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 111.5% in the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock traded up $0.58 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $247.64. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,425,399 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,682,240. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $237.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $240.57. The company has a market cap of $149.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a PEG ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 period in the previous year, the business posted $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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 dated Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $1,875,000.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Raymond James reaffirmed a "strong-buy" rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $261.40.

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.