Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Acquired by Bright Rock Capital Management LLC

Key Points

• Bright Rock Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation by 28.9% in the second quarter, now owning a total of 53,500 shares valued at approximately $12.31 million.
• Union Pacific recently reported earnings of $3.03 per share, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.84, with revenues reaching $6.15 billion for the quarter.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.34 to $1.38 per share, boasting an annual dividend yield of 2.5%.

Bright Rock Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 28.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 53,500 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 12,000 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific makes up 2.5% of Bright Rock Capital Management LLC's holdings, making the stock its 7th largest position. Bright Rock Capital Management LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $12,309,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Highline Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 103.5% during the first quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 116 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 1,400.0% during the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 120 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $32,000. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 50.5% in the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 167 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the company. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on Union Pacific from $260.00 to $257.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Loop Capital upgraded Union Pacific from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $214.00 to $227.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $263.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Union Pacific from $244.00 to $238.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $250.00 to $285.00 in a report on Friday, July 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $259.38.

Union Pacific Stock Up 2.5%

UNP traded up $5.44 during trading on Monday, hitting $226.05. The company had a trading volume of 4,214,142 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,533,714. The company has a market capitalization of $134.06 billion, a PE ratio of 19.64, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.03. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $204.66 and a one year high of $256.84. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $222.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $224.87. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The railroad operator reported $3.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.84 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.43% and a return on equity of 41.73%. The company had revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.74 EPS. Union Pacific's quarterly revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.96%.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.