Bahl & Gaynor Inc. Sells 20,865 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Bahl & Gaynor Inc. reduced its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 7.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 243,286 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 20,865 shares during the quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $57,506,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,290 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,013,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. increased its stake in Union Pacific by 1.4% in the third quarter. Patrick M Sweeney & Associates Inc. now owns 5,466 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,292,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the period. Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 51.4% during the third quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,809 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $664,000 after purchasing an additional 954 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.1% during the third quarter. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 25,298 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $5,980,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eley Financial Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.7% during the third quarter. Eley Financial Management Inc now owns 20,208 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,777,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $264.62 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $157.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.11, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.95. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $267.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company’s 50 day moving average is $242.08 and its 200 day moving average is $231.63.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The company had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.91 EPS. The firm’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 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 46.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price target on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $260.14.

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.