Danica Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab Invests $8.10 Million in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Danica Pension acquired 29,792 Union Pacific shares worth approximately $8.1 million during the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the railroad operator.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with Union Pacific carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $320.89.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, reporting $3.41 in EPS and $6.86 billion in revenue. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, implying a 1.9% annual yield.

Danica Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 29,792 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $8,103,000.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Capital World Investors increased its stake in Union Pacific by 92.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $4,658,142,000 after acquiring an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% during the 3rd 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 during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 16.8% in 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 purchasing an additional 2,084,808 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:UNP opened at $301.69 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $179.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.43, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.96. The business has a 50 day moving average of $284.87 and a 200 day moving average of $266.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $210.84 and a 1-year 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 business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

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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