Short Interest in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) Rises By 26.5%

Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,350,000 shares, a growth of 26.5% from the May 31st total of 4,230,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,250,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days. Currently, 0.9% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.2 %

UNP stock traded up $2.79 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $226.26. 3,492,610 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,420,808. The firm has a market capitalization of $138.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.05. Union Pacific has a 52-week low of $199.33 and a 52-week high of $258.66. The business has a 50 day moving average of $233.31 and a 200-day moving average of $240.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.93.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.97 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.52% and a return on equity of 44.34%. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.67 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific will post 11.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 31st were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 31st. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 49.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UNP. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Union Pacific from $248.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 11th. Raymond James reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $280.00 target price (up from $275.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 9th. Benchmark boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $260.00 to $266.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on Union Pacific from $271.00 to $273.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $258.92.

Institutional Trading of Union Pacific

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Richardson Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 211.4% in the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 109 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.