Swiss National Bank Acquires 115,400 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Swiss National Bank boosted its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 7.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,740,800 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 115,400 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $422,353,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the 4th 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 period. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $301.44 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $271.93 and its 200-day moving average is $256.00. The stock has a market cap of $178.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.83, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $303.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released 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. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The business had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.70 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.62 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Weiss Ratings cut Union Pacific from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 23rd. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 target price (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Citigroup began coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday. They set an “outperform” rating on the stock. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $304.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $299.11.

More Union Pacific News

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of Union Pacific 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.