MFA Wealth Services Takes $1.14 Million Position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP)

MFA Wealth Services purchased a new position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 5,018 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,144,000. Union Pacific comprises approximately 0.9% of MFA Wealth Services’ investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth $28,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter worth about $30,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 265.7% during the third quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 128 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 111.5% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 129 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 5.1 %

Union Pacific stock opened at $247.83 on Friday. Union Pacific Co. has a 12 month low of $218.55 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $150.25 billion, a PE ratio of 22.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $233.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $239.16.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 41.79%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 10.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th were issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 9th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.16%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 49.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $263.00 to $252.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Union Pacific from $288.00 to $283.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $245.00 to $258.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $259.90.

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.