Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Sets New 1-Year High – Should You Buy?

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $263.92 and last traded at $262.9570, with a volume of 4634624 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $261.32.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price target on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. TD Cowen decreased their price target 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. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, December 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.32.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.5%

The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $236.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $228.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The company has a market cap of $154.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.98.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced 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). Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The business had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.91 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.12%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the third quarter worth $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.