Artemis Investment Management LLP Raises Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Artemis Investment Management LLP increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 80.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,913 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 8,452 shares during the period. Artemis Investment Management LLP's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $4,313,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Fairscale Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 265.7% during the 3rd quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 128 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on UNP. Barclays increased their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Union Pacific from $263.00 to $252.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Union Pacific from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $262.00 to $253.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $259.35.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock traded down $0.90 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $233.99. The stock had a trading volume of 3,643,704 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,141,562. The firm has a market capitalization of $141.86 billion, a PE ratio of 21.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $218.55 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $233.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $239.04.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.78 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.14 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 41.79%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.51 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 10.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th were paid a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 9th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.29%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 49.22%.

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.