Markel Group Inc. Buys 9,000 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Markel Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 6.4% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 150,278 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 9,000 shares during the quarter. Markel Group Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $36,460,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Union Pacific

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

• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target on Union Pacific to $304 from $275, implying additional upside from current levels, while keeping a neutral rating. Article: Union Pacific price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Positive Sentiment: Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to strong-buy, signaling confidence in the railroad’s earnings outlook and valuation momentum. Article: Union Pacific was upgraded by Stephens
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage around Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s proposed merger continues to advance, with both companies filing responses as the regulatory review moves forward. Investors may see the deal as a potential long-term strategic catalyst if approved. Article: Norfolk Southern (NSC) Files Merger Response With Union Pacific As STB Review Advances
• Neutral Sentiment: Commentary on the proposed rail merger from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern CEOs highlights the scale of the strategic opportunity, but also underscores that the deal remains subject to significant regulatory scrutiny. Article: EXCLUSIVE: Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern CEOs talk about the rail merger
• Neutral Sentiment: Seeking Alpha published a downgrade saying buying Union Pacific now may be “too late,” which adds a cautionary note but does not appear to outweigh the bullish analyst actions. Article: Union Pacific: Buying Now Feels Too Late (Rating Downgrade)

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of UNP stock traded up $2.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $287.27. The stock had a trading volume of 1,876,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,394,006. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $288.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $170.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.96. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $269.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $253.94. 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 announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.70 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.47%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating and set a $326.00 target price (up from $307.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $290.39.

Union Pacific 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.