Ancora Advisors LLC Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Ancora Advisors initiated a new Union Pacific position during the second quarter, purchasing 29,045 shares valued at approximately $7.9 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Union Pacific reported strong quarterly results, with earnings of $3.41 per share and revenue of $6.86 billion, exceeding analyst expectations; revenue increased 11.5% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share, equivalent to an annualized $5.68 payout and a 1.8% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $320.89.

Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 29,045 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $7,900,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% in the second quarter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,117 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $576,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. TFR Capital LLC. grew its holdings in Union Pacific by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. TFR Capital LLC. now owns 979 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $266,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Key Financial Inc increased its position in Union Pacific by 2.1% during the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $442,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Members Trust Co increased its position in Union Pacific by 2.5% during the first quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $382,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EJMK Ventures LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% in the first quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The company's fifty day moving average is $287.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $268.73. The firm has a market cap of $184.23 billion, a PE ratio of 25.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 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.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current 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 $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 44.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $320.89.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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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