Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by HighTower Advisors LLC

Key Points

• HighTower Advisors reduced its Union Pacific stake by 1.0% in the second quarter, selling 7,075 shares and retaining 708,990 shares valued at approximately $192.8 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Analysts raised several price targets following Union Pacific’s strong quarterly results, with the company beating earnings and revenue estimates. The stock carries a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $320.89.
• Union Pacific increased its quarterly dividend from $1.38 to $1.42 per share, equivalent to an annualized dividend of $5.68 and a 1.9% yield.

HighTower Advisors LLC reduced its stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 708,990 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 7,075 shares during the quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC owned 0.12% of Union Pacific worth $192,845,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $335.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. 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, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.0%

Union Pacific stock opened at $293.57 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $174.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.77, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $283.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $265.37.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.72 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific's revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. This is an increase from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio is 44.70%.

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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