Franklin Resources Inc. Has $1.67 Billion Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,198,449 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 34,115 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,665,145,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. 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 bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,779,907,000. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 95.0% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,059,538,000 after purchasing an additional 4,244,226 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% in the third 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 acquiring an additional 3,861,636 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter worth $408,592,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. Benchmark raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 price objective (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $282.21.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 34,377 shares of company stock worth $9,251,221. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of UNP stock opened at $272.28 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $161.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 0.97. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $279.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $259.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $247.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.73.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.70 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is 45.47%.

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.