Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Purchases 294,230 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 53.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 839,672 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 294,230 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned about 0.14% of Union Pacific worth $191,479,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. World Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 103.1% during the third quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 35,581 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $8,770,000 after purchasing an additional 18,060 shares in the last quarter. Peoples Bank KS acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $834,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 179,925 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $44,348,000 after acquiring an additional 4,939 shares during the last quarter. Maj Invest Holding A S grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Maj Invest Holding A S now owns 676,098 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $166,645,000 after acquiring an additional 2,202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Ltd increased its position in Union Pacific by 24.2% in the 4th quarter. Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Ltd now owns 277,267 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $63,185,000 after acquiring an additional 53,946 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.2 %

UNP traded up $0.51 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $249.67. 2,727,040 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,918,052. The company has a market cap of $151.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a one year low of $218.55 and a one year high of $258.66. The company's fifty day moving average price is $234.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $239.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.77.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.79% and a net margin of 27.33%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 10.96 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Investors of record on Monday, December 9th were given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 9th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 49.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on UNP. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Guggenheim lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price objective on Union Pacific from $277.00 to $272.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $263.30.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 owned by corporate insiders.

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.