Benjamin Edwards Inc. Increases Holdings in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in Union Pacific by 29.8% to 33,653 shares, worth about $7.785 million at quarter-end; institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of UNP.
• Union Pacific posted a Q1 earnings beat (EPS $2.93 vs. $2.86; revenue $6.22B vs. $6.12B), reiterated its outlook, and drew several analyst target-price upgrades that leave its consensus rating at a "Moderate Buy" (~$279.55).
• UNP and Norfolk Southern refiled a merger application projecting about $3.5 billion in annual shipper savings but face regulatory and competitor opposition, and company insiders have sold roughly 31,386 shares (~$8.46M) in recent filings.

Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 29.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 33,653 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 7,733 shares during the quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $7,785,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at $27,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 48.4% during 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 last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.0%

Union Pacific stock opened at $266.40 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $158.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.94, a PEG ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $252.18 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $239.51. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $274.79. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The business had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.70 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Union Pacific's payout ratio is presently 45.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,605,079.52. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 114,642 shares of the company's stock, valued at $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $307.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $274.00 target price (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark lifted their target price on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a "market perform" rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $279.55.

More Union Pacific News

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific reported a Q1 earnings beat, stronger margins and reaffirmed its outlook — a fundamental positive that underpins analyst upgrades and higher price targets. UPS or UNP: Which Transportation Stock Holds an Edge Post Q1 Earnings?
• Positive Sentiment: UNP and Norfolk Southern refiled an amended merger application with the Surface Transportation Board that includes full traffic data from all Class I rails and projects about $3.5 billion in annual shipper savings — a scenario investors see as long-term revenue/cost synergy if approved. Creating America's First Transcontinental Railroad...
• Neutral Sentiment: The refiled application frames the merged carrier as holding roughly a 39% market share and outlines conditions under which Union Pacific could walk away — information that clarifies deal economics but leaves regulatory risk open. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern Refile Rail-Merger Application
• Negative Sentiment: Rival Canadian National (CNI) formally criticized the amended application as inadequate to address competitive harms and is actively engaging the STB — increasing the probability of prolonged review, mandated remedies, or outright rejection. CN Says Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Fails To Address Competitive Harms
• Negative Sentiment: Rivals, unions and a newly formed anti-merger coalition are mobilizing to block the deal, signaling political and stakeholder resistance that could delay approval or force costly concessions. Rails rivals, unions unite to block the Norfolk Southern-Union Pacific merger
• Negative Sentiment: Union Pacific CFO disclosed an insider sale of about $549,400 in UNP stock — a near-term negative signal that some investors interpret as reduced insider conviction (though the size is modest relative to market cap). Insider Selling: Union Pacific NYSE: UNP CFO Sells $549,400.00 in Stock

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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