Pacer Advisors Inc. Has $31.59 Million Stake in Union Pacific Corporation $UNP

Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) by 33.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 136,549 shares of the railroad operator’s stock after purchasing an additional 34,155 shares during the quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $31,587,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Capital World Investors grew its position in Union Pacific by 92.1% during the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 20,136,349 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $4,658,142,000 after buying an additional 9,655,306 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Union Pacific in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,779,907,000. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 95.0% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,713,196 shares of the railroad operator’s stock worth $2,059,538,000 after acquiring an additional 4,244,226 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 72.7% in the 3rd 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 acquiring an additional 3,861,636 shares during the period. Finally, EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Union Pacific during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $408,592,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. Raymond James Financial set a $310.00 target price on Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Benchmark lifted their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $277.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Susquehanna reiterated a “positive” rating and issued a $305.00 price objective on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Union Pacific from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $282.21.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Kenyatta G. Rocker sold 27,387 shares of the company’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 transaction of $7,442,691.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 61,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,605,079.52. This represents a 30.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Eric J. Gehringer sold 2,991 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.96, for a total transaction of $789,504.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 43,012 shares in the company, valued at $11,353,447.52. This trade represents a 6.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 32,378 shares of company stock valued at $8,781,595. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Union Pacific Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of UNP opened at $257.46 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $152.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.21, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.97. Union Pacific Corporation has a one year low of $210.84 and a one year high of $279.70. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $263.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $249.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.73.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The railroad operator reported $2.93 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 company had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.70 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 12.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 29th will be given a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 29th. Union Pacific’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.47%.

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.