Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC Increases Position in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 5.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 53,172 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,951 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $12,901,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the fourth quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the period. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the third quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and issued a $307.00 price objective (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $289.00 target price (up from $273.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, April 24th. Robert W. Baird set a $311.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $274.00 price target (up from $253.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on Union Pacific from $289.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $282.21.

Union Pacific Price Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $260.07 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $154.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $264.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $250.45. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $279.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.12 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.20% and a return on equity of 39.58%. The company’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.70 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.47%.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This trade represents a 30.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.70, for a total value of $549,400.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 114,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $31,492,157.40. The trade was a 1.71% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.