Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Bought by James Hambro & Partners LLP

Key Points

• James Hambro & Partners LLP increased its stake in Union Pacific Corporation by 4.1%, now holding 398,599 shares valued at approximately $91.7 million.
• Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for Union Pacific, with an average price target of $260.00.
• Union Pacific recently announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.38 per share, representing a yield of 2.3%.

James Hambro & Partners LLP raised its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 4.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 398,599 shares of the railroad operator's stock after acquiring an additional 15,607 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific makes up 3.6% of James Hambro & Partners LLP's portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. James Hambro & Partners LLP owned approximately 0.07% of Union Pacific worth $91,692,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.0% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,105,382 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,678,575,000 after acquiring an additional 142,732 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 5.4% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,949,345 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,641,715,000 after purchasing an additional 354,463 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 5,105,784 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,206,191,000 after purchasing an additional 86,292 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 10.8% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 4,626,200 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $1,092,893,000 after purchasing an additional 452,788 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the first quarter worth about $988,822,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $277.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird started coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, July 1st. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $231.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup upgraded Union Pacific from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $250.00 to $251.00 in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $276.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Argus cut Union Pacific from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $260.00.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $235.14 on Friday. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $222.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $224.54. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $256.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $139.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.43, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86.

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 business had revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.09 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 41.73% and a net margin of 28.43%.The business's quarterly revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.74 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a $1.38 dividend. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.34. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is currently 47.96%.

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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