Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Stock Acquired by Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG

Key Points

• Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG increased its Union Pacific stake by 48.1% in the third quarter, acquiring 4,211 additional shares for a total holding worth approximately $3.53 million.
• Institutional ownership remains high at 80.38%, with major investors including State Street, Bank of America, Legal & General, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board adding or initiating positions.
• Union Pacific reported quarterly EPS of $3.41, beating estimates, while revenue rose 11.5% year over year. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $325, and the company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.42.

Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG grew its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 48.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 12,963 shares of the railroad operator's stock after buying an additional 4,211 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $3,528,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UNP. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,193,135,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,094,677,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in Union Pacific by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 14,463,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $3,509,030,000 after acquiring an additional 2,084,808 shares during the period. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $479,274,000. Finally, State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,890,598 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $7,586,243,000 after purchasing an additional 1,302,732 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP stock traded up $0.54 on Tuesday, reaching $287.55. 761,466 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,955,336. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $287.63 and a 200-day moving average of $277.18. The firm has a market cap of $170.83 billion, a PE ratio of 23.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $215.53 and a twelve month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 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 company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st were issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. This is a boost from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific's payout ratio is 45.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on UNP shares. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $326.00 target price on Union Pacific in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Stephens upgraded shares of Union Pacific to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Raymond James Financial set a $350.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup reissued a "cautious" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $325.00.

Union Pacific Company Profile

Union Pacific Corporation NYSE: UNP is a transportation company that operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in the United States. Through its Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary, the company moves goods across the western two-thirds of the country, connecting major agricultural, industrial, energy, population and port markets.

Union Pacific transports a broad range of commodities and products, including agricultural goods, automotive shipments, chemicals, coal, industrial products, forest products and intermodal containers.

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