NewEdge Advisors LLC Boosts Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• NewEdge Advisors increased its Union Pacific stake by 12.2% in the second quarter, purchasing 19,279 additional shares to bring its holdings to 177,077 shares valued at approximately $48.2 million.
• Union Pacific reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $3.41 versus the $3.26 consensus estimate and revenue of $6.86 billion, up 11.5% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share, equal to a $5.68 annualized payout and a 2.0% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $320.89.

NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 12.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 177,077 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 19,279 shares during the quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $48,165,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its position 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 acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $285.27 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $294.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $271.51. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99. 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 $169.47 billion, a PE ratio of 23.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Union Pacific's revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.02 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. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Union Pacific's payout ratio is presently 45.99%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Erste Group Bank assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, August 27th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Benchmark increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $320.89.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation is a transportation company that operates Union Pacific Railroad, one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. The company provides rail transportation and logistics services for a broad range of commodities, including agricultural products, automotive goods, chemicals, coal, industrial products, and intermodal shipments.

Union Pacific's railroad network serves the western two-thirds of the United States, connecting major markets and ports across approximately 23 states.

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