Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Position Boosted by Markel Group Inc.

Markel Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 30.3% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 126,778 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 29,500 shares during the quarter. Markel Group Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $29,967,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth about $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price target on Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Susquehanna reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, January 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $263.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up previously from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $258.18.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $231.12 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $231.42 and a 200-day moving average of $226.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The firm has a market cap of $137.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $204.66 and a twelve month high of $256.84.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th were given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 5th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 46.90%.

About Union Pacific

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.