Allen Investment Management LLC Takes Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Allen Investment Management LLC initiated a new position in Union Pacific, buying 4,804 shares worth about $1.11 million in the fourth quarter.
• Union Pacific reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings, with EPS of $2.93 versus estimates of $2.86 and revenue of $6.22 billion, up 3.2% year over year.
• The railroad also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share, equal to a 2.1% annualized yield, while analysts largely remain positive with a Moderate Buy consensus and average price target of $280.47.

Allen Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 4,804 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,111,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Stephens Consulting LLC lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Macroview Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC now owns 1,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.4% in the third quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,186 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $753,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,988 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,154,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keebeck Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% in the third quarter. Keebeck Wealth Management now owns 2,691 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $636,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total value of $469,625.07. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP opened at $263.31 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $257.15 and a 200-day moving average of $245.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The stock has a market cap of $156.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.69, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.97. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $279.70.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.70 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is presently 45.47%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Benchmark increased their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Citigroup restated a "buy" rating and issued a $307.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $289.00 price target (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated a "market perform" rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $280.47.

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.

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