Raymond James Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Stock

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its price target increased by equities researchers at Raymond James from $260.00 to $265.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “strong-buy” rating on the railroad operator’s stock. Raymond James’ target price would suggest a potential upside of 17.72% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut 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 report on Friday, October 25th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $277.00 to $272.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Evercore ISI lowered shares of Union Pacific from an “outperform” rating to an “inline” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $254.00 to $247.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $262.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $259.80.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP stock opened at $225.11 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $234.64 and a 200-day moving average of $238.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79. Union Pacific has a 12 month low of $218.55 and a 12 month high of $258.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $136.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.06.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.78 by ($0.03). Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 41.79%. The firm had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.51 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 10.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Fairscale Capital LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in Union Pacific by 265.7% during the 3rd quarter. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 128 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. 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.