Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) Price Target Raised to $344.00

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) had its price objective lifted by Robert W. Baird from $311.00 to $344.00 in a report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. Robert W. Baird currently has an outperform rating on the railroad operator’s stock.

UNP has been the subject of a number of other reports. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, June 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.6%

NYSE:UNP opened at $292.55 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The company has a market capitalization of $173.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $276.61 and a 200 day simple moving average of $259.90.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 12.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Union Pacific

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific

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

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific raised its quarterly dividend 3% to $1.42 per share, payable September 30 to shareholders of record August 31. The company has now paid dividends for 127 consecutive years, reinforcing its income-investment appeal. Union Pacific announces 3% dividend increase
• Positive Sentiment: Bernstein maintained its Buy rating, while Robert W. Baird raised its price target to $344. The analyst support suggests continued confidence in Union Pacific’s earnings outlook and merger-related potential. Bernstein maintains Buy rating Baird raises Union Pacific price target
• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern added customer protections to their merger application, including expanded gateway pricing and temporary access to competing rail service if performance deteriorates. The concessions are intended to address competition concerns and improve the merger’s chances of regulatory approval. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern add customer protections
• Neutral Sentiment: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern executives said the latest filing strengthens the merger’s competitive case. Separately, momentum-focused coverage highlights the stock’s strong trend and recent performance, though these reports provide limited new fundamental information. Rail merger executives discuss competitive provisions Union Pacific momentum stock analysis
• Negative Sentiment: BNSF’s CEO criticized the revised merger filing, arguing the combined railroad could reduce competition and increase rates and prices on transcontinental routes. The opposition highlights the continuing regulatory and execution risks surrounding the transaction. BNSF criticizes Union Pacific rail merger filing

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.