Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC Purchases 3,580 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 40,756 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,580 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $9,634,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $241.64 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The firm has a market cap of $143.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.98. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $204.66 and a 1-year high of $253.20. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $232.67 and a 200-day moving average of $226.92.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The business had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.91 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 46.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 target price (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed 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 analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $258.32.

Union Pacific 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.