Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Raised to “Outperform” at Robert W. Baird

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Robert W. Baird from a “hold” rating to an “outperform” rating in a note issued to investors on Friday, Marketbeat reports. The firm currently has a $311.00 price target on the railroad operator’s stock. Robert W. Baird’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 22.45% from the company’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on UNP. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $295.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $270.00 target price (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Susquehanna reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $263.77.

Union Pacific Stock Down 2.4%

NYSE:UNP opened at $253.98 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $244.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $233.00. The company has a market capitalization of $150.71 billion, a PE ratio of 21.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.95. Union Pacific has a 1-year low of $204.66 and a 1-year high of $268.14.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued 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 period last year, the business earned $2.91 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 9.8% in the third quarter. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA now owns 52,849 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $12,492,000 after purchasing an additional 4,707 shares in the last quarter. Midwest Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Midwest Trust Co now owns 281,036 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $66,428,000 after buying an additional 7,759 shares in the last quarter. CX Institutional lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 39.8% during the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 65,826 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $15,559,000 after buying an additional 18,742 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 135,188 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $31,955,000 after buying an additional 17,696 shares during the period. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $802,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.