Johnson Financial Group Inc. Takes Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 2,962 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $806,000.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its position in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific 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 completion of 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 target price (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $294.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Bank of America raised their target price on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

UNP stock opened at $304.34 on Friday. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The company has a market capitalization of $180.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.96. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $285.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $267.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last released its earnings results 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 analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.03 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

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

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.