Sage Private Wealth Group LLC Decreases Stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Sage Private Wealth Group LLC lessened its stake in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 4.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,091 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 55 shares during the quarter. Sage Private Wealth Group LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $249,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. David Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $390,000. Leavell Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,442 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,153,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Portfolio Design Labs LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 19.8% in the 4th quarter. Portfolio Design Labs LLC now owns 7,703 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,757,000 after acquiring an additional 1,273 shares during the last quarter. Cardinal Strategic Wealth Guidance raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 23.8% during the 4th quarter. Cardinal Strategic Wealth Guidance now owns 2,319 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $529,000 after acquiring an additional 446 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,589 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,503,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $247.81 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $150.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.63. Union Pacific Co. has a 1-year low of $218.55 and a 1-year high of $258.66. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $235.21 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.25.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.71 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 12.01 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 28th will be given a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 48.33%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 64,960 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,240,000. This represents a 10.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $1,636,740.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,319 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,632,388. This trade represents a 19.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.28% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $253.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Raymond James reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and set a $285.00 price target (up from $265.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Benchmark raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $266.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $261.40.

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.