Baupost Group LLC MA Purchases 131,050 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Baupost Group LLC MA raised its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 8.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,627,254 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 131,050 shares during the period. Union Pacific comprises approximately 7.1% of Baupost Group LLC MA’s portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Baupost Group LLC MA’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $376,416,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 34,377 shares of company stock valued at $9,251,221 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on UNP. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 target price on Union Pacific and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $289.00 target price (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $300.00 target price (up from $260.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Susquehanna reissued a “positive” rating and issued a $305.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, June 5th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $282.21.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.5%

UNP opened at $272.37 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The firm has a market cap of $161.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.44, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.97. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $279.70. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $262.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $248.69.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.70 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.47%.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacific’s core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western two‑thirds of the United States.