Fidelity National Financial Inc. Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Fidelity National Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 100,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $22,804,000. Union Pacific makes up 0.5% of Fidelity National Financial Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. EnRich Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. PrairieView Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 161 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.2 %

NYSE UNP traded up $2.71 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $219.61. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,860,763 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,554,932. The company has a market cap of $131.61 billion, a PE ratio of 19.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. 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 business's 50 day simple moving average is $233.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $236.10. Union Pacific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 previous year, the business posted $2.71 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.44%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on UNP. Loop Capital lowered Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $265.00 to $200.00 in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Guggenheim increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Benchmark lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $257.50.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,000. The trade was a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

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.