Qsemble Capital Management LP Buys New Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Qsemble Capital Management initiated a Union Pacific position by purchasing 5,637 shares valued at approximately $1.53 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with Union Pacific receiving a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $320.89; several firms recently raised their targets.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $3.41 in EPS and $6.86 billion in revenue, while increasing its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share.

Qsemble Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 5,637 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $1,533,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 92.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,779,907,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings 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 worth $2,169,168,000 after purchasing an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 26.0% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 10,980,904 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,540,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,708 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 16.8% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $3,509,030,000 after purchasing an additional 2,084,808 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNP has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 target price on Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Stephens raised Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $293.57 on Friday. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $283.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $265.13. The company has a market cap of $174.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96. 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 fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS 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 paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. 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. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

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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