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

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 1,581.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 232,000 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 218,200 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific accounts for about 0.3% of Jefferies Financial Group Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $54,838,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth $27,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $253.98 on Monday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $204.66 and a 52 week high of $268.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The stock has a market cap of $150.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $244.90 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $233.05.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly 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 business had revenue of $6.09 billion for 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%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.91 EPS. Analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 target price (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price target on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $263.77.

Union Pacific 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.