Commerce Bank Takes $140.90 Million Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Commerce Bank purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 518,029 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $140,904,000. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 0.6% of Commerce Bank's investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Commerce Bank owned 0.09% of Union Pacific as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Capital World Investors raised its position in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $4,658,142,000 after buying an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% in the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,169,168,000 after acquiring an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 26.0% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $2,540,105,000 after acquiring an additional 2,267,708 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $3,509,030,000 after acquiring an additional 2,084,808 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $210.84 and a 52 week high of $315.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $286.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $267.60. 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 (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share 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 company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.03 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is presently 44.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on UNP. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Stephens raised Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Evercore restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $294.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was 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 $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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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