Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC Purchases New Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Morgan Dempsey opened a new Q3 position in Union Pacific, buying 15,083 shares worth about $3.57 million.
• Several large institutions also boosted stakes—Norges Bank initiated a ~$1.856 billion position and firms like Capital World Investors and Capital Research added billions—leaving institutional ownership at 80.38%.
• Union Pacific recently missed EPS estimates (Q: $2.86 vs. $2.92), reported slightly lower revenue year‑over‑year, and declared a quarterly dividend of $1.38 (annualized $5.52, yield 2.3%“Moderate Buy” with a $263.77 price target.

Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 15,083 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $3,565,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Norges Bank bought a new position in Union Pacific in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,856,340,000. Capital World Investors raised its position in shares of Union Pacific by 193.3% during the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 10,481,043 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,477,404,000 after acquiring an additional 6,908,016 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 95.0% in the 3rd 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 period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% in 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 purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares during the period. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 22,618.2% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,624,636 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $603,876,000 after purchasing an additional 2,613,083 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $242.27 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $143.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.95. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $268.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $246.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $234.04.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). Union Pacific had a return on equity of 40.89% and a net margin of 29.12%.The business had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.91 earnings per share. The business's revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.12%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 price objective on Union Pacific and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a "market perform" rating and issued a $295.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $267.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Susquehanna reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, January 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $263.77.

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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.