Ingalls & Snyder LLC Reduces Stake in Union Pacific Co.

Ingalls & Snyder LLC has reduced its investment in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 3.7% during the fourth quarter, as per their latest 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following the sale of 1,916 shares, the institutional investor now owns a total of 50,510 shares of this prominent railroad operator. At the end of the fourth quarter, Ingalls & Snyder LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were valued at approximately $11,518,000.

Union Pacific Alerts:

• Transports Are Trending Higher: It’s a Golden Time to Buy More

In addition to Ingalls & Snyder, several other hedge funds have also adjusted their positions in Union Pacific’s shares recently. For instance, Consolidated Planning Corp increased its stake by 3.5% in the fourth quarter, now owning 25,813 shares worth $5,886,000 after acquiring an additional 867 shares. Similarly, Naples Global Advisors LLC raised its holding by 1.6%, owning 9,808 shares valued at $2,237,000 after buying 153 more shares. Other institutional investors, including Values First Advisors Inc. and Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC, also adjusted their holdings significantly. The majority of the company's stock, about 80.38%, is held by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Recently, shares of Union Pacific opened at $248.49. The company boasts a market capitalization of approximately $150.65 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.41 and a beta of 1.06. Over the past year, Union Pacific has seen a low of $218.55 and a high of $258.66. As of now, the company’s 50-day moving average stands at $235.43, while the 200-day moving average is at $240.31. Assessing its financial health, Union Pacific holds a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.63, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76.

• Industrials Building Momentum

Union Pacific last reported quarterly earnings on January 23rd, where it earned $2.91 per share, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $2.76. The company also achieved a return on equity of 41.12% and a net margin of 27.82% during this period, slightly better than the previous year's earnings per share of $2.71. Analysts predict an average earnings per share of 12.01 for the current fiscal year.

Dividend Declaration

The company has announced a quarterly dividend, set to be distributed on March 31st. Shareholders on record as of February 28th will receive a dividend payment of $1.34 per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $5.36 and a yield of 2.16%. Union Pacific's payout ratio currently stands at 48.33%.

Analyst Ratings

In recent evaluations, several equity research analysts have revised their target prices on Union Pacific's shares. For example, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price from $263.00 to $252.00, rating the stock as 'neutral'. Conversely, Guggenheim raised their target from $266.00 to $275.00, rating it as 'buy'. Multiple firms have recognized Union Pacific's potential for upward movement, with a consensus price target currently around $261.40.

Insider Activity

In other news concerning Union Pacific, there have been notable insider transactions as well. Executive Vice President Craig V. Richardson sold 6,495 shares on January 27th at an average price of $252.00, totaling approximately $1,636,740. Following this sale, he now owns 26,319 shares. Additionally, on January 24th, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 7,500 shares for around $1,875,000, resulting in a reduction of her stake as well.

Company Overview

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the United States' railroad sector. It provides transportation services that include grain and grain products, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals, catering to various industries, including agriculture, construction, and beyond.

In Conclusion

With the adjustments made by Ingalls & Snyder LLC and other institutional investors, as well as the positive performance indicators for Union Pacific, many market watchers are keeping a close eye on this stock's trajectory.

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