California State Teachers Retirement System Decreases Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

California State Teachers Retirement System lessened its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 2.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 843,940 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 23,871 shares during the quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $204,757,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the 4th 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. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $320.89.

More Union Pacific News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted additional customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), including expanded gateway pricing and temporary access to competing rail service if performance deteriorates. The commitments are intended to address shipper concerns and improve the merger’s chances of regulatory approval. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern add new customer protections as STB merger review advances
• Positive Sentiment: Canadian National reportedly will not oppose the transaction under the revised arrangement, which would give CN access to certain shipper facilities facing fewer Class I railroad options. Reduced opposition may help the regulatory review advance. Canadian National won’t fight UP-NS merger under new deal
• Positive Sentiment: Robert W. Baird raised its Union Pacific price target to $344 from $311 and maintained an “outperform” rating, citing potential upside from the company’s operating outlook. Baird raises Union Pacific price target
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity and recent analyst commentary point to continued investor interest in Union Pacific’s service-led growth strategy, margin improvement potential and standalone earnings prospects.
• Neutral Sentiment: Union Pacific’s second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with earnings of $3.41 per share and revenue of $6.86 billion. Revenue increased 11.5% year over year, providing fundamental support for the stock, although valuation remains elevated at roughly 24 times earnings.
• Negative Sentiment: The merger remains subject to STB approval, and the new customer guarantees could increase execution obligations and limit some of the anticipated financial benefits. Investors are also comparing UNP’s operating growth with Norfolk Southern’s more event-driven merger valuation, contributing to near-term uncertainty. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern file supplemental information to STB on merger

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $294.48 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $276.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $259.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $174.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.84, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.Union Pacific’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.03 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was 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 directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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.