The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Purchases New Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 452,837 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $123,172,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised 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 buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $287.99 and a 200-day moving average of $268.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business 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 revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.03 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm 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. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. 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 research report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citizens Jmp began coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price for the company. Two equities research 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

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.