Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Raised to Strong-Buy at Robert W. Baird

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Robert W. Baird from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Friday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on UNP. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price target on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $270.00 target price (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, January 19th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $263.77.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $253.98 on Friday. Union Pacific has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $268.14. The company’s 50-day moving average is $244.90 and its 200-day moving average is $232.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $150.71 billion, a PE ratio of 21.22, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.95.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.92 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.91 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted 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 acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.