Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Stock Acquired by Markel Group Inc.

Key Points

• Markel Group increased its Union Pacific stake by 3.1% in the third quarter, buying 5,000 shares to hold 166,028 shares valued at about $45.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.38% of the company.
• Union Pacific reported quarterly EPS of $3.53, exceeding the $3.47 consensus, while revenue of $7.20 billion beat estimates and rose 15.3% year over year.
• Analysts give the stock a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $326.44; shares were trading at $303.62 in the article.

Markel Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 3.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 166,028 shares of the railroad operator's stock after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Markel Group Inc.'s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $45,181,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Eastern Bank lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 214,567 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $58,390,000 after buying an additional 5,380 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas grew its position in Union Pacific by 21.5% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas now owns 60,465 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $16,454,000 after acquiring an additional 10,706 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Union Pacific by 9.4% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 102,949 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $28,002,000 after acquiring an additional 8,842 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV grew its position in Union Pacific by 17.7% during the second quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 108,489 shares of the railroad operator's stock valued at $29,509,000 after acquiring an additional 16,295 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the first quarter worth approximately $9,151,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company's stock.

Union Pacific Trading Down 1.1%

NYSE:UNP opened at $303.62 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $180.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The company has a fifty day moving average of $287.36 and a 200 day moving average of $270.83. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52 week low of $216.32 and a 52 week high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.47 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $7.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.16 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.90% and a return on equity of 37.54%. The company's revenue was up 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.08 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 13.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $328.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, October 23rd. Citigroup reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, October 23rd. Benchmark raised their price target on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Citizens Jmp began coverage on Union Pacific in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 price target on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $326.44.

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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