Marshall Wace LLP Cuts Stock Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Marshall Wace LLP reduced its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 80.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 284,270 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 1,191,895 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $64,825,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Wasatch Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 18,922 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $4,315,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Master S Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $333,000. Evergreen Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 9,816 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,238,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 23.9% in the fourth quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,391 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $545,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares during the period. Finally, Jump Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 36.3% during the 4th quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 105,629 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $24,088,000 after purchasing an additional 28,122 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP traded up $2.51 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $219.41. The company had a trading volume of 1,226,292 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,545,267. Union Pacific Co. has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $258.07. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $233.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $236.10. 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 cap of $131.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.78, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.71 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value 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. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 27th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,632,388. The trade was a 19.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Susquehanna lowered their target price on Union Pacific from $265.00 to $255.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Citigroup raised shares of Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $260.00 to $244.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $257.50.

Union Pacific 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.