Czech National Bank Boosts Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Czech National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 3.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 156,407 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,787 shares during the period. Czech National Bank’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $36,180,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Total Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Susquehanna reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $267.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $264.86.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.9%

NYSE:UNP opened at $241.77 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $143.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.95. 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 has a fifty day moving average of $247.99 and a 200 day moving average of $234.74. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $268.14.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced 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 return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The firm had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.91 EPS. Union Pacific’s revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm 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 $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.