Bank of Nova Scotia Purchases 335,855 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 387.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 422,485 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 335,855 shares during the quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia owned 0.07% of Union Pacific worth $96,343,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Dunhill Financial LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 111.5% during the third 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 position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP traded down $0.89 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $218.43. 2,964,945 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,519,559. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.77. The stock's fifty day moving average is $237.48 and its 200 day moving average is $237.24. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $204.66 and a 1-year high of $258.07. The stock has a market cap of $130.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06.

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Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 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 period in the previous year, the business posted $2.71 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. Susquehanna reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $265.00 to $255.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price 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. Benchmark raised their price target 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. Robert W. Baird upped 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $277.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $258.48.

Union Pacific Company 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.