Freestone Capital Holdings LLC Purchases 2,490 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Freestone Capital Holdings LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific Corporation by 3.3% during the first quarter, now holding 77,545 shares valued at approximately $18.3 million.
• Union Pacific announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38, up from $1.34, representing an annualized yield of 2.5% and a payout ratio of 46.57%.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on Union Pacific, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $258.21, reflecting varied expectations for the company's performance.

Freestone Capital Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 3.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 77,545 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 2,490 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific accounts for approximately 0.7% of Freestone Capital Holdings LLC's holdings, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $18,319,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of UNP. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 19,412 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $4,427,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the period. Capital International Sarl raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Sarl now owns 4,706 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $1,073,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 8,807 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,008,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares during the period. Fidelity National Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $22,804,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 318.3% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,018,219 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $232,195,000 after purchasing an additional 774,828 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on UNP. Barclays downgraded Union Pacific from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Union Pacific from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $250.00 to $285.00 in a report on Friday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $231.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Union Pacific from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Union Pacific from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $258.21.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP traded up $3.3690 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $223.4490. 4,899,191 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,460,096. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $226.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $229.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $132.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.41, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.53. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The railroad operator reported $3.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.84 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.09 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.73% and a net margin of 28.43%.The business's revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.74 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is presently 46.57%.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.