Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC Reduces Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Key Points

• Wilkinson Global Asset Management cut its Union Pacific stake by 26.1% during the second quarter, selling 63,020 shares and retaining 178,265 shares worth approximately $48.5 million.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with Union Pacific receiving a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $320.89; several firms recently raised their targets to between $325 and $350.
• Union Pacific exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, reporting $3.41 in EPS and $6.86 billion in revenue, while increasing its quarterly dividend to $1.42 per share, a 1.9% indicated yield.

Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC cut its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP - Free Report) by 26.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 178,265 shares of the railroad operator's stock after selling 63,020 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific accounts for 3.9% of Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC's holdings in Union Pacific were worth $48,488,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cambient Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha grew its holdings in 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 valued at $12,665,000 after buying an additional 14,399 shares during the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator's stock worth $235,038,000 after acquiring an additional 30,079 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. TD Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $325.00 price objective (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp started coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $350.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an "outperform" rating and set a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.3%

UNP opened at $299.10 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $177.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96. The business has a 50-day moving average of $284.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $266.34. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.03 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific's previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

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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