Buckingham Capital Management Inc. Reduces Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Buckingham Capital Management Inc. lowered its position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 20.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,875 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 1,508 shares during the period. Buckingham Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,340,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 111.5% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on UNP shares. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Loop Capital lowered shares of Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating and cut their price objective for the company from $265.00 to $200.00 in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $261.40.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded down $2.22 on Friday, hitting $245.43. 3,292,544 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,700,197. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.66. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $237.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.69. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $148.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS 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 quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.18%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

About Union Pacific

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.