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

Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has $311.00 price target on the railroad operator’s stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 price objective (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $263.77.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock traded down $6.22 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $253.98. 4,099,064 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,396,605. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $244.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $232.93. The firm has a market cap of $150.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.91. Union Pacific has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $268.14.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $6.09 billion during 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%. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.91 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 46.12%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

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.