State of Michigan Retirement System Sells 2,100 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

State of Michigan Retirement System decreased its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 160,345 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,100 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement System’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $37,901,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,856,340,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 22,618.2% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $603,876,000 after acquiring an additional 2,613,083 shares in the last quarter. Amundi grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 35.6% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 4,782,577 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,134,236,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255,231 shares during the period. Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Ltd increased its stake in Union Pacific by 3,536.2% in the second quarter. Rothschild & Co Wealth Management UK Ltd now owns 1,011,677 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $232,767,000 after purchasing an additional 983,855 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in Union Pacific by 32.8% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,152,042 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $725,222,000 after purchasing an additional 778,411 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $267.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 target price (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $270.00 price target (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $258.32.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $252.92 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $150.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.98. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $233.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $227.44. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $204.66 and a 12-month high of $253.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The firm had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.91 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.12%.

About Union Pacific

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.