Vise Technologies Inc. Makes New $8 Million Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 29,420 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $8,002,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of UNP. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 92.1% in 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 acquiring an additional 9,655,306 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 72.7% during the 3rd 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 purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in Union Pacific by 26.0% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Union Pacific by 16.8% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $3,509,030,000 after purchasing an additional 2,084,808 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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 accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UNP. Citizens Jmp started coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note 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 issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $304.34 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $285.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $267.31. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $180.80 billion, a PE ratio of 24.64, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96.

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

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders 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 an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.70%.

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.