Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund Purchases 13,822 Shares of Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 58.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 37,270 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after buying an additional 13,822 shares during the quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $9,042,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Key Financial Inc grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2.1% in the first quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 1,821 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $442,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. Members Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Members Trust Co now owns 1,573 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $382,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. EJMK Ventures LLC now owns 1,016 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group grew its position in Union Pacific by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 6,637 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,535,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Finally, Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. Fairvoy Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $280,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 directly 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Union Pacific

Here are the key news stories impacting Union Pacific this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted additional customer protections to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), including expanded gateway pricing and temporary access to competing rail service if performance deteriorates. The commitments are intended to address shipper concerns and improve the merger’s chances of regulatory approval. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern add new customer protections as STB merger review advances
• Positive Sentiment: Canadian National reportedly will not oppose the transaction under the revised arrangement, which would give CN access to certain shipper facilities facing fewer Class I railroad options. Reduced opposition may help the regulatory review advance. Canadian National won’t fight UP-NS merger under new deal
• Positive Sentiment: Robert W. Baird raised its Union Pacific price target to $344 from $311 and maintained an “outperform” rating, citing potential upside from the company’s operating outlook. Baird raises Union Pacific price target
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual options activity and recent analyst commentary point to continued investor interest in Union Pacific’s service-led growth strategy, margin improvement potential and standalone earnings prospects.
• Neutral Sentiment: Union Pacific’s second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with earnings of $3.41 per share and revenue of $6.86 billion. Revenue increased 11.5% year over year, providing fundamental support for the stock, although valuation remains elevated at roughly 24 times earnings.
• Negative Sentiment: The merger remains subject to STB approval, and the new customer guarantees could increase execution obligations and limit some of the anticipated financial benefits. Investors are also comparing UNP’s operating growth with Norfolk Southern’s more event-driven merger valuation, contributing to near-term uncertainty. Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern file supplemental information to STB on merger

Union Pacific Trading Down 1.6%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $294.48 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $276.08 and a 200 day simple moving average of $259.46. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The company has a market capitalization of $174.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The business’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 29th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $335.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

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.