Trail Ridge Investment Advisors LLC Purchases New Shares in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Trail Ridge Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 4,425 shares of the railroad operator’s stock, valued at approximately $1,204,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ames National Corp purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $1,085,000. D.B. Root & Company LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth about $514,000. Flavin Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the 2nd quarter worth about $436,000. Investor s Fiduciary Advisor Network LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $787,000. Finally, Safeguard Investment Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 2nd quarter valued at about $259,000. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of Union Pacific stock opened at $309.83 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $287.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $268.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $184.06 billion, a PE ratio of 25.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.96. Union Pacific Corporation has a 52-week low of $210.84 and a 52-week high of $315.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.99.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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. Union Pacific had a net margin of 28.85% and a return on equity of 38.46%. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.03 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 31st. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. This is a positive change from Union Pacific’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.99%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 3rd. The stock was 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 owned 43,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on UNP shares. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $305.00 to $333.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Union Pacific from $301.00 to $334.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. BMO Capital Markets restated a “market perform” rating and issued a $320.00 price target (up from $285.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Benchmark raised their price objective on Union Pacific from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $335.00 price objective (up from $315.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note 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 given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Union Pacific currently 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.