Cynosure Group LLC Has $13.69 Million Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Cynosure Group LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 8.0% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 59,193 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 5,122 shares during the period. Union Pacific comprises about 0.6% of Cynosure Group LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Cynosure Group LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $13,693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Union Pacific by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 59,329,262 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $13,724,045,000 after buying an additional 659,378 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in Union Pacific by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 26,330,080 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $6,090,674,000 after buying an additional 1,082,285 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its position in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after buying an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,552,550,000 after buying an additional 296,814 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its position in Union Pacific by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,636,050 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,922,971,000 after buying an additional 602,647 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Trading Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $267.54 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $158.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.97. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $262.69 and its 200-day moving average is $249.13. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $279.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92.

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

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.47%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 34,377 shares of company stock worth $9,251,221. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on UNP. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $285.00 target price (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Susquehanna reaffirmed a “positive” rating and issued a $305.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, June 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $282.21.

Union Pacific Company 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.