Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Stifel Nicolaus Analyst Says

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Stifel Nicolaus from $253.00 to $270.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the railroad operator’s stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price objective would indicate a potential upside of 8.59% from the company’s current price.

UNP has been the subject of several other research reports. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $266.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their target price on Union Pacific from $277.00 to $272.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Citigroup upped their price target on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday. Susquehanna cut their price objective on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $260.40.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock traded up $0.60 on Friday, hitting $248.65. 1,124,458 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,598,757. Union Pacific has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $233.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $239.22.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.79% and a net margin of 27.33%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.71 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 10.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Union Pacific

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 265.7% in the third quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 128 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 111.5% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Company Profile

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.