Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Bought by National Pension Service

Key Points

• National Pension Service increased its Union Pacific stake by 1.2% in the fourth quarter, owning 1,316,496 shares worth about $304.5 million at the end of the period.
• Wall Street sentiment remains upbeat, with several analysts raising price targets and the stock holding a Moderate Buy consensus rating and a consensus target price of $280.47.
• Union Pacific reported strong quarterly results, beating earnings and revenue estimates, and also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share to be paid on June 30.

National Pension Service raised its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 1.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,316,496 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 15,785 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned about 0.22% of Union Pacific worth $304,532,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNP. Capital World Investors lifted its position in Union Pacific by 193.3% in the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 10,481,043 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,477,404,000 after buying an additional 6,908,016 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in Union Pacific by 95.0% in the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,059,538,000 after buying an additional 4,244,226 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 72.7% in the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $2,169,168,000 after buying an additional 3,861,636 shares during the last quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at about $408,592,000. Finally, Baupost Group LLC MA acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at about $353,658,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $307.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $256.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $300.00 target price (up from $260.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $280.47.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total value of $469,625.07. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716 over the last 90 days. 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $266.59 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $279.70. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $256.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $245.44. The company has a market cap of $158.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.96, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 29th will be issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.47%.

Union Pacific Profile

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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