Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Stake Lessened by SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC

SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) by 12.6% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 2,095 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 301 shares during the quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $474,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Richardson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 211.4% during the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 109 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Tributary Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $30,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNP traded down $0.23 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $246.27. The stock had a trading volume of 198,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,261,443. Union Pacific Co. has a 52 week low of $199.33 and a 52 week high of $258.66. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $233.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $238.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.03 billion, a PE ratio of 23.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.03. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 42.62%. The company had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.05 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.57 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 earnings per share 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 issued a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.18%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.62%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total value of $875,887.68. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 64,945 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,014,787.55. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNP has been the topic of several analyst reports. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Union Pacific from $281.00 to $275.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 26th. StockNews.com cut shares of Union Pacific from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. Loop Capital cut shares of Union Pacific from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $276.00 to $238.00 in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Finally, Raymond James reiterated a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $280.00 target price (up previously from $275.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $258.79.

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.