Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp Purchases 38,272 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking increased its Union Pacific stake by 3.1%, purchasing 38,272 shares to own 1.28 million shares valued at approximately $346.8 million. Institutional investors collectively hold 80.38% of the company.
• Union Pacific reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $3.41 and revenue of $6.86 billion; revenue rose 11.5% year over year. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, implying a 1.9% yield.
• Analysts maintain a favorable outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $320.89 average price target; recent targets range as high as $344.

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 3.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,275,019 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 38,272 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific comprises about 0.8% of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp's investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp owned about 0.21% of Union Pacific worth $346,805,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Key Financial Inc lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.1% in the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $442,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Members Trust Co boosted its position in Union Pacific by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $382,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. EJMK Ventures LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 4.0% in the first quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 5,469 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,488,000 after buying an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealthquest Corp increased its position in Union Pacific by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Wealthquest Corp now owns 1,108 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $269,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $300.06 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $283.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $265.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $178.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.30, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The company 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 firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Evercore reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company'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 owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

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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