Wesbanco Bank Inc. Raises Stock Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Wesbanco Bank Inc. boosted its holdings in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 7.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 28,901 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 1,895 shares during the period. Wesbanco Bank Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $6,685,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Saranac Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 48.4% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $264.38 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $252.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $240.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $156.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.99. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $274.79.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The business’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.70 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Benchmark increased their price target on Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 price target (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $315.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $289.00 price target (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $279.55.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 1,999 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.93, for a total transaction of $469,625.07. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares in the company, valued at $31,492,157.40. This represents a 1.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 31,386 shares of company stock worth $8,461,716. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Company 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.