West Tower Group LLC Takes $456,000 Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 2,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $456,000. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 1.0% of West Tower Group LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Dunhill Financial LLC lifted its holdings 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 in the last quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded down $1.00 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $233.79. 4,167,677 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,304,584. The firm has a market cap of $141.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.05. 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 Co. has a 1 year low of $218.55 and a 1 year high of $258.07. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $242.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $240.05.

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Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 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 last year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.29%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on UNP. 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 report on Friday, January 24th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $263.00.

Insider Activity

In related 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 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. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 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 transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,240,000. This trade 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.

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.