Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. Makes New $12.13 Million Investment in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 44,600 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $12,131,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after purchasing an additional 9,655,306 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at $1,779,907,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,193,135,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth $1,094,677,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% during the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 9,177,002 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,169,168,000 after buying an additional 3,861,636 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $310.11 on Wednesday. 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 company has a market cap of $184.23 billion, a PE ratio of 25.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average of $287.99 and a 200-day moving average of $268.73. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $210.84 and a 1-year high of $315.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.03 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research 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. Stockholders 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 1.8%. 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 is 44.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on UNP. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $350.00 target price (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 price objective (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 13th. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the company 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 issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Union Pacific 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.