Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Shares Bought by Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC

Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 2,025.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,716 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 28,318 shares during the period. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $6,777,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 111.5% during the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company'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 value of $1,875,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 64,960 shares in the company, valued at $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,632,388. The trade was a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP traded up $2.09 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $243.61. 2,955,494 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,297,616. Union Pacific Co. has a twelve month low of $218.55 and a twelve month high of $258.07. The firm has a market cap of $147.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.97, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $240.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $240.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62.

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 analysts' consensus estimates 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 quarter last year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.20%. Union Pacific's payout ratio is 48.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Guggenheim upped their price target on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $261.40.

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.