Councilmark Asset Management LLC Purchases Shares of 5,788 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Councilmark Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 5,788 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,574,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2,575.0% in the fourth 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. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific during the first quarter worth $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Price Performance

UNP opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $287.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $268.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $184.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. Union Pacific’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a $1.42 dividend. 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 yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 price target (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 target price (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $294.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, June 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target 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.