Skylands Capital LLC Sells 2,700 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Skylands Capital LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 1.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 224,350 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 2,700 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific comprises 7.3% of Skylands Capital LLC’s holdings, making the stock its biggest position. Skylands Capital LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $53,030,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,856,340,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 0.7% in the second 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 in the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in Union Pacific by 35.6% in the 2nd 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 last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings 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 worth $725,222,000 after buying an additional 778,411 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in 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 worth $603,876,000 after purchasing an additional 2,613,083 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $261.47 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $234.90 and its 200-day moving average is $227.90. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $261.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.91. The company has a market cap of $155.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.84, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.98.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share 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 analyst estimates of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.91 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given 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 2.1%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 46.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 target price (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $267.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target 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.