Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC Purchases 2,489 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC grew its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 3.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 69,093 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,489 shares during the quarter. Clifford Swan Investment Counsel LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $16,763,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 72.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,169,168,000 after buying an additional 3,861,636 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors increased its position in Union Pacific by 26.0% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,540,105,000 after buying an additional 2,267,708 shares during the period. Finally, Baupost Group LLC MA acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth approximately $353,658,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value 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. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on UNP. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $289.00 price objective (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $304.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $299.11.

Trending Headlines about Union Pacific

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific received the first rail from Rocky Mountain Steel’s new $1.2 billion Pueblo mill, kicking off a seven-year domestic supply contract that could improve rail-input reliability and support efficiency. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Several analysts remain constructive, with recent price-target increases and buy/outperform-style ratings helping reinforce expectations for stronger earnings and continued momentum. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Heading into Q2 results, earnings estimates have been rising as stronger freight demand may offset volume and supply-chain pressures, which could set up a positive catalyst if Union Pacific beats expectations. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: A valuation article said Union Pacific looks fairly valued on cash flow, suggesting the shares may be closer to intrinsic value than deeply discounted, which is less of a near-term trading catalyst. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Dan Loeb’s Third Point cut its Union Pacific stake by more than 90% while also slashing other railroad holdings, a move that may pressure sentiment around the sector amid merger uncertainty. Article Title

Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP opened at $301.44 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $178.96 billion, a PE ratio of 24.83, a P/E/G ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $303.15. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $271.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $256.00.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.70 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.62 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

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.