Wedbush Securities Inc. Acquires 3,071 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Wedbush Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 20.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 17,949 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 3,071 shares during the quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $4,243,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UNP. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Sagard Holdings Management Inc. bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $262.96 on Thursday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $204.66 and a 12-month high of $263.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a market cap of $156.04 billion, a PE ratio of 21.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.98. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $235.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $228.14.

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). Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The company had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.91 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $270.00 target price (up previously from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective 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. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. BMO Capital Markets set a $255.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Susquehanna reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, January 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $258.32.

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.