Praxis Capital Management LLC Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Praxis Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 3,135 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $725,000. Union Pacific comprises 2.6% of Praxis Capital Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Midwest Trust Co lifted its position in Union Pacific by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Midwest Trust Co now owns 281,036 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $66,428,000 after acquiring an additional 7,759 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its position in Union Pacific by 15.1% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 135,188 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $31,955,000 after acquiring an additional 17,696 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its position in Union Pacific by 29.6% during the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 653,589 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $154,488,000 after acquiring an additional 149,158 shares during the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth $802,000. Finally, Berman McAleer LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,036,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $265.65 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $157.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.88, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.99. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $253.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $243.82. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $276.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. The business 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 firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.70 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company restated an “overweight” rating and set a $300.00 price objective (up from $260.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $274.00 price objective (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and set a $307.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 price objective (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $280.47.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed 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 stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total transaction of $549,400.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly 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. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 31,386 shares of company stock valued at $8,461,716. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.