Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Upgraded to “Strong-Buy” at Stephens

Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Susquehanna reissued a “positive” rating and issued a $305.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, June 5th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays reiterated 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price objective (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $287.72.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $281.42 on Wednesday. Union Pacific has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $285.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $167.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $268.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $253.35.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.70 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific will post 12.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock worth $8,781,595. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.