First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. Buys 12,628 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. increased its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 20.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 74,323 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 12,628 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $17,568,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,856,340,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,398,715 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,472,217,000 after purchasing an additional 46,436 shares during the period. Amundi increased its stake in Union Pacific by 35.6% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 4,782,577 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,134,236,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255,231 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 32.8% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,152,042 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $725,222,000 after buying an additional 778,411 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 22,618.2% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $603,876,000 after buying an additional 2,613,083 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on UNP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $263.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price target on Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Citigroup set a $264.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $258.18.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP stock opened at $229.67 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market cap of $136.23 billion, a PE ratio of 19.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a 50 day moving average of $231.23 and a 200-day moving average of $226.87. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $204.66 and a 12-month high of $256.84.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.24 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.75 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 46.90%.

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.