Skopos Labs Inc. Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

Skopos Labs Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 4,241 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,042,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Stuart Chaussee & Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $36,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $44,000. USA Financial Formulas lifted its position in Union Pacific by 219.6% during the fourth quarter. USA Financial Formulas now owns 179 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Private Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP traded down $0.66 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $232.05. 2,161,918 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,243,363. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $240.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $239.38. The stock has a market cap of $141.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.25, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.06. Union Pacific Co. has a one year low of $190.71 and a one year high of $258.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 analysts’ expectations of $5.97 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.67 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Friday, May 31st will be paid a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 31st. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 49.62%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Benchmark lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $235.00 to $248.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $198.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, April 26th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $271.00 to $273.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $259.61.

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.