Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Position Increased by National Bank of Canada FI

Key Points

• National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation by 28.3% during the first quarter, owning 576,497 shares valued at approximately $136.2 million.
• Union Pacific recently reported a quarterly earnings per share of $3.03, exceeding the consensus estimate of $2.84, and had a yearly revenue increase of 2.4%.
• The company has announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38, up from the previous $1.34, representing an annual yield of 2.5% and a payout ratio of 47.96%.

National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 28.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 576,497 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 127,060 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI owned 0.10% of Union Pacific worth $136,189,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of UNP. Highline Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 103.5% in the 1st quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 116 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. EnRich Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL lifted its stake in Union Pacific by 38.8% in the fourth quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 161 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 50.5% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 167 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $222.51 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $227.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $230.58. The stock has a market cap of $131.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.33, a PEG ratio of 2.20 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 one year low of $204.66 and a one year high of $258.07.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The railroad operator reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.84 by $0.19. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.43% and a return on equity of 41.73%. The business had revenue of $6.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.74 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. Union Pacific's payout ratio is 47.96%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on UNP. Argus raised shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $231.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $276.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Union Pacific from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $277.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $258.21.

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.

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