62,254 Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Bought by Ceredex Value Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Ceredex Value Advisors initiated a 62,254-share position in Union Pacific during the second quarter, valued at approximately $16.9 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with Union Pacific receiving a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $320.89; several firms recently raised their targets above $330.
• 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.

Ceredex Value Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 62,254 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $16,933,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its stake 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 worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on UNP. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Stephens raised shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Benchmark lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity

In related 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 transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.3%

NYSE:UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. 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 company has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $286.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $267.60.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

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.

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