Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by Jefferies Financial Group Inc.

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. reduced its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 97.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 5,156 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 226,844 shares during the quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,193,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,182 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $273,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 46.8% during the 4th quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD now owns 486 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Associated Banc Corp boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Associated Banc Corp now owns 89,738 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $20,758,000 after purchasing an additional 4,972 shares during the period. Delta Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 31.8% during the 4th quarter. Delta Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,593 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,294,000 after purchasing an additional 1,348 shares during the period. Finally, Nixon Peabody Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. Nixon Peabody Trust Co. now owns 1,488 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $344,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $277.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $289.00 target price (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $280.47.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total value of $469,625.07. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $266.59 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $256.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $245.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.28 billion, a PE ratio of 21.96, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $279.70.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.70 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.47%.

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.