Principal Financial Group Inc. Reduces Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Principal Financial Group Inc. lowered its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 0.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 708,669 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 5,531 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $163,929,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC boosted its position in Union Pacific by 48.4% during the 4th quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $264.04 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $274.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.76 billion, a PE ratio of 21.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $252.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $239.78.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.70 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 27th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.47%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNP has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 price target (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Susquehanna restated a “buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, January 19th. Finally, Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and issued a $307.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $279.55.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total transaction of $469,625.07. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716 in the last three months. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.