Geode Capital Management LLC Raises Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Geode Capital Management increased its stake in Union Pacific by 2.0% in the fourth quarter, bringing its holdings to 15.36 million shares worth about $3.55 billion.
• Union Pacific reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $2.93 versus the $2.86 consensus and revenue of $6.22 billion, up 3.2% year over year.
• The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share, while Wall Street analysts currently have a consensus rating of Moderate Buy with an average price target of $280.47.

Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 15,360,668 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 296,814 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned 2.59% of Union Pacific worth $3,552,550,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 193.3% during the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 10,481,043 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,477,404,000 after purchasing an additional 6,908,016 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 95.0% during the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,059,538,000 after purchasing an additional 4,244,226 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% during 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 purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares during the last quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $408,592,000. Finally, Baupost Group LLC MA purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter valued at approximately $353,658,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $279.41 on Thursday. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $279.70. The firm has a market cap of $165.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.02, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a 50 day moving average of $255.55 and a 200 day moving average of $245.12. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The company had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.70 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is 45.47%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNP has been the subject of several recent research reports. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $289.00 target price (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $315.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Evercore restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $277.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $280.47.

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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