Ancora Advisors LLC Lowers Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Ancora Advisors cut its Union Pacific stake by 67.4% in the second quarter, selling 60,091 shares and retaining 29,045 shares valued at approximately $7.9 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.38% of UNP.
• Union Pacific reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $3.41 and revenue of $6.86 billion, up 11.5% year over year. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, or $5.68 annually.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89, above the reported share price of $290.29.

Ancora Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 67.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 29,045 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 60,091 shares during the period. Ancora Advisors LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $7,900,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased 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 purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $29,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Down 3.5%

Shares of UNP opened at $290.29 on Wednesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The firm has a market cap of $172.46 billion, a PE ratio of 23.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The company's fifty day moving average is $292.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $270.39.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.02 earnings per share for the current 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 dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is presently 45.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Raymond James Financial restated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $320.89.

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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