Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Reaches New 1-Year High After Dividend Announcement

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)’s share price hit a new 52-week high on Friday following a dividend announcement from the company. The company traded as high as $253.29 and last traded at $252.92, with a volume of 3569499 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $251.45.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 46.12%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $258.32.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $233.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $227.25. The company has a market capitalization of $150.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.91.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The business had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.91 EPS. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

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.