Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Purchased by Banque Cantonale Vaudoise

Key Points

• Banque Cantonale Vaudoise boosted its Union Pacific stake by 15.8% in the first quarter, adding 5,420 shares to reach 39,817 shares worth about $9.66 million.
• Several other institutional investors also changed positions, and overall 80.38% of Union Pacific’s stock is held by institutions and hedge funds.
• Union Pacific reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $2.93 and revenue of $6.22 billion, and it also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share.

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 15.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,817 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 5,420 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $9,661,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cambient Family Office LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $1,319,000. Magellan Asset Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the third quarter valued at approximately $69,343,000. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1,581.2% in the third quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. now owns 232,000 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $54,838,000 after purchasing an additional 218,200 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,746,000. Finally, First National Bank of Omaha increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% during the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $12,665,000 after purchasing an additional 14,399 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on UNP. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $307.00 target price (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark raised their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $289.00 price objective (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $282.21.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at $16,605,079.52. The trade was a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP opened at $260.07 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.92. The company has a market capitalization of $154.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.42, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.97. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $264.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $250.45. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1 year low of $210.84 and a 1 year high of $279.70.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. Union Pacific's revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.70 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

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

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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