Prospera Financial Services Inc Boosts Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Prospera Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 4.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 66,470 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,619 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $15,716,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Howard Capital Management Group LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,252 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $532,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.6% during the second quarter. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC now owns 3,012 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $693,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.5% during the third quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 1,880 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $444,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 1,065 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $252,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schubert & Co lifted its position in Union Pacific by 1.9% during the second quarter. Schubert & Co now owns 2,511 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $578,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.7%

Union Pacific stock opened at $254.46 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $204.66 and a 12-month high of $254.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $150.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $234.32 and a 200 day moving average of $227.64. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.91 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on UNP. Susquehanna reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $267.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 price target (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $258.32.

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.