Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Purchased by QRG Capital Management Inc.

Key Points

• QRG Capital Management increased its Union Pacific stake by 9.4% in the second quarter, owning 102,949 shares valued at approximately $28 million. Institutional investors collectively hold 80.38% of the railroad operator’s stock.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $3.41 in EPS and $6.86 billion in revenue, with revenue up 11.5% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, or $5.68 annualized, representing a 2.1% yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $327.72.

QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 9.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 102,949 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 8,842 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $28,002,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Merkkuri Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth about $29,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the second quarter worth about $34,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of Union Pacific stock traded up $0.87 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $275.28. The company had a trading volume of 1,890,477 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,042,144. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99. The company has a market cap of $163.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $215.53 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The firm's fifty day moving average is $294.05 and its 200-day moving average is $272.47.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.01 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific's payout ratio is presently 45.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $317.00 price target on Union Pacific and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $327.72.

Union Pacific Profile

Union Pacific Corporation is a transportation company that operates Union Pacific Railroad, one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. The company provides rail transportation and logistics services for a broad range of commodities, including agricultural products, automotive goods, chemicals, coal, industrial products, and intermodal shipments.

Union Pacific's railroad network serves the western two-thirds of the United States, connecting major markets and ports across approximately 23 states.

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