Peak Asset Management LLC Takes $3.79 Million Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Peak Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 13,934 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $3,790,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 26,330,080 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $6,090,674,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082,285 shares during the period. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after buying an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Union Pacific by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,552,550,000 after acquiring an additional 296,814 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in Union Pacific by 16.8% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $3,509,030,000 after acquiring an additional 2,084,808 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,636,050 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $2,922,971,000 after acquiring an additional 602,647 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Benchmark boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $315.99. The company has a market cap of $184.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $287.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $268.31.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company 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 firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.03 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.99%.

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.