Equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP) will post sales of $5.17 billion for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Three analysts have made estimates for Union Pacific’s earnings. The lowest sales estimate is $5.14 billion and the highest is $5.20 billion. Union Pacific reported sales of $5.38 billion in the same quarter last year, which indicates a negative year-over-year growth rate of 3.9%. The business is scheduled to issue its next earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, April 23rd.
According to Zacks, analysts expect that Union Pacific will report full year sales of $21.83 billion for the current financial year, with estimates ranging from $20.77 billion to $22.65 billion. For the next financial year, analysts anticipate that the business will post sales of $22.74 billion, with estimates ranging from $21.45 billion to $23.86 billion. Zacks’ sales averages are an average based on a survey of sell-side research firms that cover Union Pacific.
Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $2.03 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $5.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.24 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 32.86% and a net margin of 27.27%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.12 EPS.
A number of research firms have recently issued reports on UNP. Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and set a $192.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Monday, December 30th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $201.00 to $142.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 16th. Deutsche Bank cut their price objective on Union Pacific from $215.00 to $205.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Barclays restated a “hold” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on Union Pacific from $205.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. The stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $185.29.
In other Union Pacific news, COO Vincenzo J. Vena bought 3,206 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $155.92 per share, for a total transaction of $499,879.52. Following the acquisition, the chief operating officer now owns 19,966 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,113,098.72. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 1,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.00, for a total transaction of $183,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 62,331 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,406,573. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 9.96% of the company’s stock.
A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UNP. Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $15,388,000. Colony Group LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 48.3% in the 3rd quarter. Colony Group LLC now owns 16,518 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,676,000 after buying an additional 5,381 shares in the last quarter. UMA Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $1,326,000. Redpoint Investment Management Pty Ltd lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Redpoint Investment Management Pty Ltd now owns 72,200 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $11,695,000 after buying an additional 1,796 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 63.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,276 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $855,000 after buying an additional 2,046 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.98% of the company’s stock.
Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $141.04 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The company has a market cap of $95.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.81, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.12. Union Pacific has a 52 week low of $105.08 and a 52 week high of $188.96. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $155.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $169.05.
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 28th were issued a dividend of $0.97 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $3.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.75%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 46.30%.
Originally posted by Benjamin Ortiz for redmondregister.com