Convergence Investment Partners LLC Decreases Stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Convergence Investment Partners LLC decreased its position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 48.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,177 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 3,866 shares during the quarter. Convergence Investment Partners LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $953,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 111.5% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction 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 represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, 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 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 approximately $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % 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 Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP traded down $2.50 during trading on Friday, hitting $245.16. 1,881,758 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,657,599. The company has a market cap of $148.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.09, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $218.55 and a 1 year high of $258.66. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $237.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.61. 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 released 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 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Benchmark raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered 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 report on Tuesday, January 7th. Loop Capital lowered shares of Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $265.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Raymond James reiterated a "strong-buy" rating and issued a $285.00 price objective (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, January 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price 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.