Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Reaches New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $275.21 and last traded at $275.2140, with a volume of 911234 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $270.56.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNP has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $300.00 price objective (up from $260.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 price objective (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $280.47.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.7%

The stock has a market cap of $163.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.66, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The business’s fifty day moving average is $252.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $242.23.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results 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 return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.70 EPS. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,605,079.52. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the business’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 transaction of $549,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. This trade represents a 1.71% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716 in the last three months. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Key Financial Inc boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $442,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Members Trust Co boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $382,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 6,637 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,535,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $280,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

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.