Sciencast Management LP Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Sciencast Management LP purchased a new stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,872 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,936,000. Union Pacific makes up 1.2% of Sciencast Management LP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Richardson Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Union Pacific by 211.4% in the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 109 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE:UNP traded up $1.48 on Friday, reaching $230.20. 1,912,316 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,268,841. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The company has a market capitalization of $140.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.97, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $199.33 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $230.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $239.20.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.52% and a return on equity of 44.34%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.97 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.67 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 31st were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 31st. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 49.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $271.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. Raymond James reiterated a "strong-buy" rating and issued a $280.00 price objective (up previously from $275.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 26th. StockNews.com downgraded Union Pacific from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Susquehanna cut their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $248.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 11th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $258.63.

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.

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