Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp Sells 1,950 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp lessened its position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 0.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 255,787 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 1,950 shares during the period. Union Pacific makes up about 0.8% of Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp’s holdings, making the stock its 27th largest position. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $58,331,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Howard Capital Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 16.4% during the third quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,860 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $705,000 after acquiring an additional 403 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 32.3% during the 3rd quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 100,483 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $24,755,000 after purchasing an additional 24,518 shares in the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 43.3% in the third quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 42,124 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $10,383,000 after purchasing an additional 12,736 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 5.9% in the third quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 215,871 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $53,208,000 after purchasing an additional 12,121 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 47.7% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 419,509 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $103,400,000 after buying an additional 135,544 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $212.86 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $127.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.77. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $242.01 and a 200 day moving average of $238.75. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $212.55 and a 52-week high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.71 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th were given a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.52%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 48.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Citigroup upped their target price on Union Pacific from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Loop Capital lowered Union Pacific from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $265.00 to $200.00 in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $261.95.

Insider Activity

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total transaction of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,319 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.