Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. Sells 2,894 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 81,407 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,894 shares during the period. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $19,242,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1,400.0% during the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 120 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth about $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Access Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $234.48 on Tuesday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $227.85 and its 200 day moving average is $226.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $204.66 and a 1 year high of $256.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.99 by $0.09. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.The business had revenue of $6.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.75 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 46.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNP has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $277.00 to $275.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Susquehanna restated a “positive” rating and set a $272.00 target price (up previously from $257.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $260.33.

Union Pacific Company Profile

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific’s core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.