James Investment Research Inc. Has $2.87 Million Holdings in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

James Investment Research Inc. decreased its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 14.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 12,604 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 2,163 shares during the period. James Investment Research Inc.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $2,874,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Dunhill Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 111.5% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on UNP. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Raymond James restated a "strong-buy" rating and set a $285.00 target price (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $263.00 to $252.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One research 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $261.40.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares of the company's stock, 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. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded up $0.58 during trading on Thursday, reaching $247.64. 1,425,402 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,682,249. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $218.55 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The company has a 50 day moving average of $237.20 and a 200-day moving average of $240.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.06.

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

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is 48.33%.

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.