Sompo Asset Management Co. Ltd. Acquires 1,169 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Sompo Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 4.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,822 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 1,169 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific makes up approximately 1.0% of Sompo Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Sompo Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $5,888,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Howard Capital Management Group LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 16.4% during the third quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,860 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $705,000 after purchasing an additional 403 shares in the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 43,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $10,616,000 after buying an additional 276 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 103.1% in the 3rd quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 35,581 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $8,770,000 after buying an additional 18,060 shares during the period. Arvest Bank Trust Division bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at about $16,680,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 124.1% in the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 52,963 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $13,054,000 after acquiring an additional 29,330 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $216.91 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The business has a fifty day moving average of $233.69 and a 200 day moving average of $236.10. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $258.07. The stock has a market cap of $130.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.56, a PEG ratio of 2.15 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 last year, the business posted $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate 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 was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on UNP shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $255.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Benchmark increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $257.50.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $1,636,740.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the 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 sale, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at $16,240,000. This trade represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.28% of the company's stock.

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.

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