Martin & Co. Inc. TN Buys New Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Martin & Co. Inc. TN purchased 4,499 Union Pacific shares in the second quarter, valued at approximately $1.224 million. Hedge funds and other institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the railroad operator.
• Union Pacific reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with earnings of $3.41 per share and revenue of $6.86 billion, up 11.5% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, equivalent to an annualized $5.68 payout and a 1.8% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $320.89.

Martin & Co. Inc. TN purchased a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 4,499 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,224,000.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in 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. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. The business's 50 day moving average is $286.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $267.60. 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. The stock has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.70%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business'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. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Citizens Jmp began coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $320.89.

About Union Pacific

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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