California Public Employees Retirement System Purchases 44,204 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

California Public Employees Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 3.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,354,434 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 44,204 shares during the quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System owned about 0.23% of Union Pacific worth $320,148,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,856,340,000. Capital World Investors grew its stake in Union Pacific by 193.3% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 10,481,043 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,477,404,000 after buying an additional 6,908,016 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 95.0% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,059,538,000 after acquiring an additional 4,244,226 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 72.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,169,168,000 after acquiring an additional 3,861,636 shares during the period. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 22,618.2% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $603,876,000 after acquiring an additional 2,613,083 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNP has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $263.77.

Union Pacific Price Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $242.22 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $268.14. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $246.47 and a 200 day moving average of $233.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $143.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.95.

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 return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The business had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.91 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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 dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 46.12%.

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.