Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Bought by Rockland Trust Co.

Rockland Trust Co. grew its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 154,012 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 17,540 shares during the period. Union Pacific makes up approximately 1.5% of Rockland Trust Co.’s holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Rockland Trust Co.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $36,404,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. First National Trust Co raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.4% in the third quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 39,433 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $9,321,000 after buying an additional 1,313 shares during the period. Navellier & Associates Inc. boosted its position in Union Pacific by 27.5% during the 3rd quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 6,985 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,651,000 after purchasing an additional 1,505 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 66,470 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $15,716,000 after purchasing an additional 2,619 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in Union Pacific by 6.5% in the third quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 109,624 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,912,000 after purchasing an additional 6,732 shares during the period. Finally, Slagle Financial LLC raised its position in Union Pacific by 3.6% in the third quarter. Slagle Financial LLC now owns 7,607 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,798,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Friday. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $267.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up previously from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. 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’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.32.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $254.46 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $234.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $227.64. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $254.94. The firm has a market cap of $150.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.98.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.91 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect 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. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.12%.

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.