Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 6,250,000 shares, a growth of 22.3% from the January 15th total of 5,110,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,740,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Approximately 1.0% of the company's stock are short sold.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded down $4.15 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $247.02. The company had a trading volume of 2,488,471 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,721,523. Union Pacific has a twelve month low of $218.55 and a twelve month high of $258.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market cap of $149.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.06. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $236.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $240.52.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued 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 return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.71 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 12.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th will be issued a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.17%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. TD Cowen upped their target price on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Union Pacific from $288.00 to $283.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped 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. Guggenheim upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $261.40.

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 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 approximately $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,632,388. This represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.26% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Dunhill Financial LLC increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 68 shares during the period. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Union Pacific

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.