Great Lakes Advisors LLC Makes New Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Great Lakes Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 6,932 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,886,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cambient Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth $1,319,000. First National Bank of Omaha lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 35.8% in the fourth quarter. First National Bank of Omaha now owns 54,635 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $12,665,000 after buying an additional 14,399 shares in the last quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $4,746,000. Sage Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $997,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,016,071 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $235,038,000 after acquiring an additional 30,079 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE UNP opened at $307.97 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40. The business has a 50-day moving average of $286.30 and a 200-day moving average of $267.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94, a PEG ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $210.84 and a 12 month high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.15. The firm 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 company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. 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 presently 44.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling 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 stock was 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 approximately $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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on UNP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $304.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $311.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, 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 report on Friday, July 24th. 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus 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.