Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Reaches New 1-Year High – Time to Buy?

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $267.88 and last traded at $262.0880, with a volume of 397124 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $266.66.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $285.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $267.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. One research 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’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $260.14.

Union Pacific Stock Down 1.0%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a market capitalization of $156.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.98. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $240.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $230.69.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results 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 return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The firm had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.91 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue 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.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is presently 46.12%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Rosenblum Silverman Sutton S F Inc. CA grew its position in Union Pacific by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Rosenblum Silverman Sutton S F Inc. CA now owns 1,221 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $282,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 48.4% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Macroview Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC now owns 1,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $312,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Claro Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Claro Advisors Inc. now owns 1,220 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $282,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Howard Capital Management Group LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% during the third quarter. Howard Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,252 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $532,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.