BNP Paribas Has $16.45 Million Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• BNP Paribas increased its Union Pacific stake by 21.5% in the second quarter, bringing its holdings to 60,465 shares valued at approximately $16.45 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $3.41 in EPS and $6.86 billion in revenue, with revenue up 11.5% year over year. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42, equivalent to a 1.8% annual yield.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with the stock carrying a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $320.89, while targets from several firms range as high as $350.

BNP Paribas grew its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 21.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 60,465 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 10,706 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas' holdings in Union Pacific were worth $16,454,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cambient Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% during the fourth quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $12,665,000 after buying an additional 14,399 shares in the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $235,038,000 after buying an additional 30,079 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $307.82 on Friday. 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 50-day moving average price is $291.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $269.81. The company has a market cap of $182.87 billion, a PE ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.03 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given 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 is 44.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp started coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: New analyst coverage adds support: Erste Group Bank AG initiated coverage of Union Pacific with a “buy” rating, signaling confidence in the railroad’s valuation and outlook. Erste Group Bank coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and earnings backdrop remains favorable: Union Pacific is being highlighted as a dividend-growth railroad, and recent quarterly results showed earnings and revenue above analyst expectations, with revenue up year over year. These factors reinforce the company’s appeal to income and quality-focused investors. Dividend-paying railroad stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Merger application advances: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted expanded customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board, including broader eligibility for committed gateway pricing. The proposed terms could improve the prospects for approval of the first single-line transcontinental railroad network, although the transaction remains subject to a lengthy regulatory review. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger protections
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will address investors: CEO Jim Vena and CFO Jennifer Hamann are scheduled to participate in a Bernstein Research fireside chat on September 1. Investors may look for updates on merger strategy, rail efficiency and operating trends. Union Pacific Bernstein fireside chat
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and efficiency risks remain: The companies continue defending the merger against opponents’ challenges, while new analysis describes Union Pacific as facing a fresh test of rail efficiency. Any tougher STB scrutiny or evidence of operational weaknesses could temper merger-driven optimism. Merger application regulatory review

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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