Saudi Central Bank Increases Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Saudi Central Bank increased its Union Pacific stake by 89.8% in the second quarter, bringing its holdings to 41,558 shares valued at approximately $11.3 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the railroad operator.
• Union Pacific reported quarterly earnings of $3.41 per share, exceeding estimates of $3.26, while revenue rose 11.5% year over year to $6.86 billion.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share, equivalent to a 2.0% annualized yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $320.89.

Saudi Central Bank boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 89.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 41,558 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 19,664 shares during the quarter. Saudi Central Bank's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $11,304,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its position in 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 purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Wiser Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.1%

UNP stock opened at $289.54 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $293.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $270.92. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99. The company has a market cap of $172.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.44, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.96.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.03 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is an increase from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $310.00 price objective (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 price target (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated a "market perform" rating and issued a $320.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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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