Flossbach Von Storch AG Reduces Stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Flossbach Von Storch AG decreased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 8.0% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 64,113 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 5,602 shares during the period. Flossbach Von Storch AG’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $15,747,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Power Corp of Canada bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded down $2.03 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $229.23. 1,996,098 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,313,187. The company has a market cap of $139.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.81. Union Pacific Co. has a one year low of $190.37 and a one year high of $258.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $246.02 and a 200 day moving average of $233.55.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 46.87% and a net margin of 26.45%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.67 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 49.71%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,750 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $937,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 56,682 shares in the company, valued at $14,170,500. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.26% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on UNP. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $248.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 11th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, April 8th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $250.00 price target on the stock. TD Cowen upped their price target on Union Pacific from $228.00 to $251.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Union Pacific from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $253.48.

Union Pacific Company 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.