Zions Bancorporation National Association UT Buys New Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP)

Key Points

• Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired 22,122 shares of Union Pacific Corporation, valuing the investment at approximately $5.2 million.
• Union Pacific reported $3.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the last quarter, surpassing expectations, with a net margin of 28.43%.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend increase to $1.38 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend of $5.52 and a yield of 2.5%.

Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 22,122 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $5,226,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Fiduciary Trust Co grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Fiduciary Trust Co now owns 102,213 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $23,309,000 after acquiring an additional 2,807 shares in the last quarter. Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $781,000. SlateStone Wealth LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. SlateStone Wealth LLC now owns 13,264 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $3,133,000 after acquiring an additional 772 shares in the last quarter. Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 10.9% during the 1st quarter. Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,666 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $866,000 after acquiring an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,545 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,491,000 after acquiring an additional 1,520 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock traded up $3.37 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $222.17. 1,421,911 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,318,605. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $258.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $131.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.05. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $227.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $230.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The railroad operator reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.84 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $6.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.09 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.73% and a net margin of 28.43%. Union Pacific's revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.74 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $276.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $262.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Baird R W raised Union Pacific to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $257.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $258.21.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.