Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co Purchases Shares of 102,049 Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 102,049 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $27,757,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. SWAN Capital LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 2,575.0% during the 4th quarter. SWAN Capital LLC now owns 107 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the period. Rachor Investment Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Union Pacific in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.3%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $307.97 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $182.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $286.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $267.60. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12-month low of $210.84 and a 12-month high of $315.99. 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 issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.86 billion for 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 business’s revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.03 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 is an increase from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on UNP shares. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $339.00 target price (up from $289.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Citizens Jmp started coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $350.00 price target for the company. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating and set a $325.00 price target (up from $282.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and set a $350.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Friday, July 24th. Two equities research 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. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $320.89.

Insider Activity at Union Pacific

In related news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were 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 $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.22% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.