Osterweis Capital Management Inc. Purchases Shares of 4,003 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Osterweis Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 4,003 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,089,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $287.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $268.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $184.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.11, a PEG ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Benchmark increased their target price on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

About Union Pacific

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.