57,293 Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Bought by Madison Asset Management LLC

Key Points

• Madison Asset Management acquired 57,293 Union Pacific shares worth approximately $15.6 million, while institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the railroad operator.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with Union Pacific receiving a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $320.89; several firms recently raised their targets to between $325 and $350.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, reporting $3.41 EPS and $6.86 billion in revenue, while increasing its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share from $1.38.

Madison Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 57,293 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $15,584,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Cambient Family Office LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 35.8% during the fourth quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $12,665,000 after purchasing an additional 14,399 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $235,038,000 after buying an additional 30,079 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on UNP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen restated a "buy" rating and set a $325.00 target price (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Benchmark raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

UNP opened at $304.34 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $180.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.64, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. 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 firm's 50-day simple moving average is $285.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $267.31. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.70%.

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.

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