Jones Financial Companies Lllp Takes Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Jones Financial Companies purchased 16,918 shares of Union Pacific worth approximately $4.6 million, while institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly expectations with earnings of $3.41 per share and revenue of $6.86 billion, up 11.5% year over year.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, representing an annualized payout of $5.68 and a 1.8% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $320.89.

Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 16,918 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $4,602,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its holdings 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 buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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 transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $184.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.09, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. 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 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $287.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $268.31.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released 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. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. The business's revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict 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 given a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's payout ratio is currently 45.99%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UNP has been the topic of several recent research reports. Benchmark raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Susquehanna increased their target price on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a "market perform" rating and issued a $320.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

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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