BlackRock Inc. Boosts Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• BlackRock increased its Union Pacific position by 0.2% in the second quarter, adding 115,607 shares and bringing its total stake to approximately 8.06%, worth $13.03 billion.
• Union Pacific reported quarterly EPS of $3.41 and revenue of $6.86 billion, exceeding analyst expectations, while revenue rose 11.5% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, or $5.68 annually, producing a 1.9% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $320.89.

BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 0.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 47,894,147 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 115,607 shares during the quarter. BlackRock Inc. owned approximately 8.06% of Union Pacific worth $13,027,208,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $301.69 on Thursday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99. The stock has a market cap of $179.23 billion, a PE ratio of 24.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The company's fifty day moving average price is $284.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $266.83.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. Union Pacific's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Raymond James Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Bank of America lifted 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. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

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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