Intech Investment Management LLC Sells 9,177 Shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Intech Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 22.5% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 31,625 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 9,177 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $7,778,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $1,832,127,000. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 23.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 6,851,767 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,682,931,000 after buying an additional 1,285,144 shares during the last quarter. Winslow Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $293,162,000. Cerity Partners LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 331.7% during the fourth quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 1,143,298 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $280,817,000 after buying an additional 878,490 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 20,736.8% in the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 803,677 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $197,399,000 after acquiring an additional 799,820 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP traded down $0.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $242.32. The stock had a trading volume of 3,870,094 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,111,814. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $199.33 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market cap of $147.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.12, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.06. The business has a fifty day moving average of $230.55 and a 200 day moving average of $239.03.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.52% and a return on equity of 44.34%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.67 EPS. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.14 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 49.62%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNP. Benchmark lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $271.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $252.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, June 7th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $270.00 price target for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $248.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $258.54.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.