First Bancorp Inc ME Invests $691,000 in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

First Bancorp Inc ME bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,540 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $691,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Roberts Glore & Co. Inc. IL bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the second quarter worth about $2,739,000. Valtrion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $402,000. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $12,131,000. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $479,274,000. Finally, J. Goldman & Co LP bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,413,000. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other 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 value of $789,504.36. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Benchmark raised their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $320.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their target price on Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $210.84 and a fifty-two week high of $315.99. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $287.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $268.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The company has a market cap 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 (NYSE:UNP) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.03 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be issued a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

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.