Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Shares Acquired by Aviva PLC

Aviva PLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 10.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 367,120 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 35,130 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC owned about 0.06% of Union Pacific worth $83,718,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Dunhill Financial LLC boosted its holdings in 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. PrairieView Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Down 2.0 %

Shares of UNP stock traded down $4.42 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $219.11. 2,656,129 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,504,357. The business's fifty day moving average is $238.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $237.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $131.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 12-month low of $204.66 and a 12-month high of $258.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62.

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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 period last year, the business posted $2.71 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.45%. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 48.33%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the firm's 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the sale, the president now owns 64,960 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,240,000. This 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.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Guggenheim raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Raymond James reaffirmed a "strong-buy" rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $260.32.

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.