18,000 Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Purchased by Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co

Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 18,000 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $4,896,000. Union Pacific makes up 1.4% of Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co’s holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 40.4% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $546,000 after acquiring an additional 665 shares in the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. grew its stake in Union Pacific by 0.5% in the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 20,606 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,741,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC grew its stake in Union Pacific by 1.6% in the second quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 3,733 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $859,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 6,091 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $1,401,000 after purchasing an additional 554 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its holdings in Union Pacific by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,528,426 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $351,660,000 after purchasing an additional 105,664 shares during the period. 80.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In other 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 value of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $304.34 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $285.59 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $267.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $180.80 billion, a PE ratio of 24.64, 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, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.03 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UNP has been the subject of several research reports. Raymond James Financial reiterated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. Stephens upgraded Union Pacific to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price 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. Finally, Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

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.