Czech National Bank Grows Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 4.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 168,993 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 7,386 shares during the quarter. Czech National Bank’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $45,966,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $295.41 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $175.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.92, a PEG ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $279.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $262.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its 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 firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company’s revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.03 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $310.00 target price (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

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 value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, 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 document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

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.