Sovran Advisors LLC Buys New Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Sovran Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,896 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $511,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in 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 valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. High Point Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Saranac Partners Ltd bought a new position in Union Pacific in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Jennifer L. Hamann sold 2,000 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $271.76, for a total value of $7,442,691.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 61,102 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595 in the last three months. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $289.26 on Tuesday. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $290.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The stock has a market cap of $171.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.83, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average of $269.62 and a 200-day moving average of $254.46.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.07. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 39.58% and a net margin of 29.20%.The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.70 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 29th were paid a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on UNP shares. Susquehanna restated a “positive” rating and set a $305.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, June 5th. Benchmark lifted their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 24th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating and issued a $285.00 target price (up from $278.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and issued a $326.00 price target (up from $307.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Union Pacific presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $293.33.

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.