Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI Sells 16,772 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Citizens Financial Group cut its Union Pacific stake by 46.4% in the second quarter, selling 16,772 shares and retaining 19,386 shares valued at approximately $5.27 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of UNP.
• Union Pacific reported quarterly EPS of $3.41, beating estimates of $3.26, while revenue rose 11.5% year over year to $6.86 billion. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $320.89.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $5.68 and a 1.9% yield.

Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI lowered its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 46.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,386 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 16,772 shares during the quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $5,273,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its position 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 worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UNP has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Benchmark increased their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Evercore restated an "outperform" rating and set a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 target price on Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.0%

UNP stock opened at $301.69 on Thursday. 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 Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $179.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $284.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $266.83.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.70%.

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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