Union Pacific Corporation $UNP Shares Sold by Sapient Capital LLC

Sapient Capital LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 2.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 65,044 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after selling 1,709 shares during the period. Sapient Capital LLC’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $17,692,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Shira Ridge Wealth Management purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter worth $204,000. World Equity Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 52.8% in the second quarter. World Equity Group Inc. now owns 2,308 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $628,000 after acquiring an additional 798 shares in the last quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.6% during the second quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 5,037 shares of the railroad operator’s stock valued at $1,370,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Deane Retirement Strategies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $5,174,000. Finally, Wealth Science Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter worth about $249,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price target (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $326.00 to $349.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $310.00 price objective (up from $286.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a “strong-buy” rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $320.89.

Insider Transactions at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were 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 directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. The trade was a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP opened at $292.98 on Monday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $280.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $263.07. Union Pacific Corporation has a twelve month low of $210.84 and a twelve month high of $315.99. The company has a market capitalization of $174.05 billion, a PE ratio of 23.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted 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 return on equity of 38.46% and a net margin of 28.85%.The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, August 31st will be given a $1.42 dividend. This is a boost from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is 44.70%.

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.