The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 452,837 shares of the railroad operator's stock, valued at approximately $123,172,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company owned approximately 0.08% of Union Pacific at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the first quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Evercore reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $335.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock's 50-day moving average is $287.99 and its 200-day moving average is $268.73. The company has a market cap of $184.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.11, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. This is an increase from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.70%.

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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