Morningstar Investment Management LLC Cuts Stock Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Morningstar Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 31.5% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 25,031 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 11,523 shares during the period. Morningstar Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $6,073,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Cambient Family Office LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% in the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $12,665,000 after acquiring an additional 14,399 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $997,000. Finally, Dorato Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $1,408,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $307.54 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $182.59 billion, a PE ratio of 24.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 0.96. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $275.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $258.32. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company 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%.The firm’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.64 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th were issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 45.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company’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 transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $320.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $319.16.

Key Headlines Impacting Union Pacific

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

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific reported better-than-expected Q2 results, with adjusted EPS of $3.41 and revenue of $6.86 billion, both ahead of Wall Street estimates, reinforcing confidence in operating momentum and pricing power.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts turned more constructive after the earnings beat, with Citigroup, JPMorgan, Benchmark, and Bank of America all raising price targets, suggesting expectations for further upside in the stock.
• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Canadian National reached a binding access agreement tied to the proposed Norfolk Southern merger, easing competition concerns and improving the odds of regulatory approval while also giving UNP better Chicago routing efficiency and expanded corridor access. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: The broader news flow also highlighted that the merger and access agreement may reshape North American rail traffic patterns, but the deal still depends on Surface Transportation Board approval and final closing.
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles noted Union Pacific’s record freight revenue and improved efficiency, which supports the bullish case but is already partly reflected in the recent rally.

Union Pacific 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.